Resource Reliance Flashcards
How is water redistributed in the UK?
From West with lots of rainfall to densely populated SE, Kielder Water Transfer Scheme in NW, redistributed by: pipes, pumps and vehicles
How is water stored underground?
Aquifer - permeable rock which can absorb and store water
Differences between subsistence and commercial farming?
Subsistence grows food to feed the family with limited machinery and chemicals
Commercial farming uses large machines, intensive fertilising and limited fallow period to maximise yields and profit
Disadvantages of commercial farming?
Soil degradation - will run out of nutrients and will need replenishing
Irrigation - increase water stress in other areas
Pollution of nearby water sources
Monoculture - easier spread of disease
Causes and impacts of deforestation?
Caused by: logging, space for cattle, replacing with more valuable crops e.g. palm oil
Impacts:
Less carbon sink (trees absorb 1/3 of CO2 emitted)
More surface runoff causing flooding - no roots to absorb
Leeching of soil - water that makes its way into soil carries dissolved nutrients deeper into the soil reducing its fertility rather than being absorbed by roots
Impacts of mining?
Reduced biodiversity - cannot be replaced e.g. Kayford Mountain
Water pollution: boulders blocking river, dissolved iron and calcium rocks, tailing dams holding back toxic mining waste
Greenhouse gas emissions - less plants means less carbon sink, uses heavy machinery
Unrecyclable water use - dust mitigating using water cannons, tailing dams
Food security definiton
When all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life
What are some factors affecting food security?
Conflict - prevents production and also trade
Population growth - more demand for same supply
Inflation - harder to access healthy diet
What are the 4 indicators for global hunger index?
Undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, child mortality
Carrying capacity definition?
The maximum population size of a species that can be sustained by their environment
What did Malthus believe about carrying capacity?
As population reaches carrying capacity, negative (lower BR - increase cost of living)) and positive checks (higher DR - disease, famine, conflict) reduce population
Evidence - wars, disease, droughts and floods
Criticism - does not take into account technological advancements
What did Boserup believe about carrying capacity?
As population nears carrying capacity, we find new ways to increase food production - ‘necessity is the mother of all inventions’
Evidence - GM crops, new machinery, pesticides
Criticism - can increase soil degradation with higher intensity farming with no fallow periods
How has Fairtrade contributed to sustainable improvements to food security?
Social - Fairtrade premium gives farmers extra money to spend on community (healthcare, education e.t.c)
Economic - minimum price of farmer’s products are constant
Environmental - no harmful chemicals used, less soil degradation
Ethical consumerism definition
Buying goods that have been produced with minimal harm to people and the environment
How has organic food production been a sustainable strategy for increasing food security?
Much better than conventional - no fallow periods, chemical use to increase yields despite harming workers and environment
Instead:
no chemicals causing lower yields - long term better profit as soil is more fertile and does not need replenishing as often
Prioritise health of workers and environment
How successful have GM crops been in increasing food security?
Increase yields due to resistance against pests, floods, droughts e.t.c
Reduces use of pesticides
Examples:
Hawaii in 1990, prevented papaya being wiped out by ring spot disease
Aubergines that create their own pesticides in Bangladesh reduced chemical use by 80%
Golden rice in Africa adding vitamin A
However:
Gene flow between GM crops and normal version leads to unwanted spreading of modified genes
Expensive for LIDC’s to make large scale without significant foreign investment
Constant need for new GM crops when diseases/pests develop resistance
What are hydroponics and what are the advantages?
Growing plants without soil - mineral/salt/nutrients dissolved in water
3x as many plants in same area
Can be used in urban areas
No fallow period needed
What is permaculture and what are the advantages?
Range of crops in an area of land with no pesticides
e.g. Chikukwa in small Zimbabwean village
No money spent on chemicals
More diverse wildlife
Community skills improve
