The Nutrient Crisis Flashcards
1
Q
What do traditional farming methods rely on?
A
Recycling of nutrients
2
Q
What are examples of traditional farming methods?
A
- Crop rotations and intercropping
- Controlled burning (enhances weathering, improves health of land)
- Use of compost/manure
3
Q
What is the history of fertilisers?
A
- 1800s, N and P importance discovered, fights over natural resources
- 1900s, Haber Bosch
- 1940s, Rock phosphate mining accelerates
- 1960s, Green Revolution
4
Q
What are cons of the industrialised nutrient cycle?
A
- Inefficient use of nutrients (run off, nitrogen gas lost)
- Nutrient flows are delocalised (crops can’t be grown far away from where they need to go)
5
Q
What are the pros and cons of the industrialised nutrient cycle?
A
+ Reduced hunger (more crops)
+ Spared land because of the increased productivity
- Resource heavy, energy hungry
- Pollution (CO2, N2O, eutrophication)
6
Q
What has reduced plant-microbe interactions?
A
Crop breeding.
Means less beneficial microbes.
7
Q
Why is it unrealistic that fertiliser could be banned?
A
Fertiliser was banned in Sri Lanka in 2021. Led to protests. Shows farming without fertiliser is unrealistic.