The Nutrient Crisis Flashcards

1
Q

What do traditional farming methods rely on?

A

Recycling of nutrients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What has reduced plant-microbe interactions?

A

Crop breeding.
Means less beneficial microbes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly