Sustainability of Food Flashcards
What are some changes in land management associated with intensive agriculture?
Larger fields, crop rotation, drainage, hedgerow removal, cultivation of marginal land, conservation practices, diversification
These practices aim to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability.
List some changes in technology that have impacted agriculture.
Mechanisation, agrochemicals (fertilisers, pesticides), irrigation, selective breeding, high yield varieties, GM crops, hydroponics
These technologies enhance crop production efficiency and yields.
What is aquaculture?
Aquaculture involves high density cages, pesticide use, selective breeding, GM, hormone use
It refers to the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish and shellfish.
What does marine fisheries management involve?
Stock management, It aims to maintain fish populations at sustainable levels.
What are the impacts of intensive food production?
Use of nitrate-based and phosphate-based fertilisers, and pesticides can lead to environmental degradation.
What is eutrophication?
Nutrient enrichment of water, enhancing aquatic plant growth. It is primarily caused by excess nitrates and phosphates entering water bodies.
What occurs during an algal bloom?
A population explosion of algae in nutrient-enriched water. This can block light and oxygen from penetrating the water, affecting aquatic life.
What happens when algae and aquatic organisms die in water bodies?
Decomposed by bacteria, increasing the BOD of the waterbody. This process also releases more nitrates and phosphates, causing further eutrophication.
What are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?
Chemicals resistant to environmental degradation
Pesticides are a common example of POPs.
How do pesticides affect aquatic invertebrates?
They are absorbed through skin, gills or lungs and stored in tissues. This leads to bioaccumulation of pollutants.
What is bioaccumulation?
The process where pollutants accumulate in an organism’s tissues faster than they can be metabolised or excreted. This can lead to increased concentration of toxins over time.
What is biomagnification?
The increase of pollutant concentration as it moves up the food chain
This can result in toxic levels in higher trophic levels.
What are some effects of biomagnification on higher trophic level organisms?
Impairment of the immune and reproductive system, these effects can threaten the survival of species in these levels.
