Sustainable Intensification

Question 1

What is agricultural intensification?

Answer 1

increasing output per unit of land

production gains with expanding land use

Question 2

What is sustainable intensification?

Answer 2

increasing output per unit of land while balancing sustainability issues

Question 3

What is extensification?

Answer 3

expanding the land base

Question 4

What are some environmental impacts due to expansion?

Answer 4

habitat reduction
lost biodiversity
land clearing
decreased carbon storage
soil conditions

Question 5

What are some environmental impacts due to intensification?

Answer 5

water degradation, increased energy use, pollution, fertilizer/pesticide use, irrigation increase, disrupted N and P cycles

Question 6

What is a yield gap?

Answer 6

difference in current yield and potential yield in a specific location

Question 7

What are examples of intensification?

Answer 7

irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, new crop varieties, mechanization

Question 8

What are the premises of sustainable intensification?

Answer 8

increase productivity
increase production must be through yield increases
environmental sustainability is mandatory
no a priori approach

Question 9

How does Foley see sustainable intensification happening?

Answer 9

halt ag expansion
close yield gaps on underperforming lands
increase cropping efficiency
shift diets
reduce waste

Question 10

What are some methods of sustainable intensification?

Answer 10

increased input efficiency, better management of water and nutrients, policies to discourage poor use of resources, genetic innovation, shift diets from resource intense foods