Paper 2 : Agriculture

Question 1

Agriculture’s effect on carrying capacity

Answer 1

Carrying capacity controlled by density dependent factors

Agriculture manipulates the natural environment to go above normal carrying capacity

Question 2

Agroecosystems

Answer 2

A community of plants and animals interacting with their abiotic environments which have been modified by people

They’re artificial as humans control abiotic and biotic factors to increase productivity of agricultural goods

Question 3

Classification of agroecosystems

Answer 3

what is grown?
- Arable farming - crops (SE due to drier climate, flat relief, public accessibility)
- Pastoral farming - livestock (NW due to wet climate, mountainous relief, not publicly accessible)

methods used?
- organic
- non-organic

what happens to produce?
- subsistence farming (family)
- commercial farming (profit)

how many inputs are used?
- extensive farming - small inputs of labour, fertiliser, energy and capital
- intensive farming - high inputs of ‘’

number of crops grown?
- monoculture
- polyculture

Question 4

3 principles of agriculture

Answer 4

Selection of species

Control of abiotic and biotic factors

Manipulation of species

Question 5

Selection of species

Answer 5

The right species for the environmental conditions will optimise yield, increase economic output and save resources

• are conditions within a species range of tolerance
• can conditions or species adaptation be controlled for increased productivity
• market demand and access

Question 6

Factors when selecting species

Answer 6

Physical factors
- temperature
- light
- Water availability
- edaphic factors
- topography
- altitude
- wind velocity

Human factors
- social/cultural factors
- land ownership
- political factors
- economic demand
- level of technology

Question 7

Temperature influences:

Answer 7

• thermal growing season
  -e.g grass survives but doesn’t
  grow over 4°C
• length of frost-free period
  -maize and fruit blooming effected
  by frost
• amount of evapotranspiration
  -high water requirement
• rate of biochemical reactions
  -increased rate = increased
  productivity (25° optimum)
• thermoregulation of livestock
  -hot = reduced food intake
  -cold = energy used for warmth

Question 8

Control of temperature

Answer 8

• avoid low lying areas (valleys)
  -frost more likely (thermal
  inversion)
  -oil/candles can disperse cold air
• select aspect
  -South facing gets more solar
  insolation (N hemisphere)
• transparent woven plastic cloth
  -retains heat near ground, protects
  seedlings, prevents frost
• greenhouse for expensive crops
  -high temp due to solar heating
• shelters for livestock
  -can be heated or ventilated