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ESS all topic definitions and key points > TOPIC 5 > Flashcards

TOPIC 5 Flashcards

1
Q

rock particles (function)

A

provides the SKELETON of the soil; derived from the underlying rock/rock particles transported to the environment

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2
Q

Increased sustainability of food production (list of 3)

A

-CLEAN UP AND RESTORATION (planting of buffer zones around land suitable for food production to ABSORB nutrient runoff)

-CONTROLLING RELEASE (monitoring and control of standards and practices of multi-national and national food corporations by governmental and intergovernmental bodies)

-ALTERING HUMAN ACTIVITY (reduce meat consumption; increase consumption of organically grown and locally-produced terrestrial foods, improving the accuracy of food labels to assist in consumer choice)

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3
Q

ways to measure efficiency of a farming system

A

-energy contained within the crop of harvested product per ara unit

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4
Q

Transformations in soil (list 3)

A

-decomposition
-weathering
-nutrient cycling

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5
Q

structure and properties of sand soils

A

-widest particle diameter
-gritty
-falls apart easily
-ensures good drainage and air supply to roots
-low biota and primary productivity
-high mineral content

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6
Q

horticulture and dairying

A

-example location: Western Netherlands
-farming type: intensive; commercial
-inputs: HIGH labour and technology
-outputs: HIGH per hectare and per farmer
-efficiency: high
-environmental impact: HIGH – greenhouses for salads and flowers are heated and lit ; in dairying, grass is fertilised, cows produced waste

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7
Q

transfers in soil systems

A
  • directly affected by atmospheric process
  • amounts of heat, evaporation, precipitation –> DETERMINE main movements of water in soil
  • transfers of material (including deposition) result in reorganisation of the soil
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8
Q

pesticides (3 types)

A

-herbicides
-fungicides
-insecticides

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9
Q

food miles

A

-distance that food products travel from point of production to consumer

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10
Q

hydroponics

A

-growing plants in a soil-less medium (e.g., gravel) with nutrient solutions
-controlled environment
-water-efficient
-can be used in urban settings
-e.g., Gigafarm, Dubai (also a vertical farm exmaple)

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11
Q

DELETE transformations in soil systems

A
  • decomposition
  • weathering
  • nutrient cycling
  • humification
  • degradation
  • mineralisation
  • illuviation
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12
Q

permaculture

A

-agricultural and social design principles SIMULATING natural ecosystems
-sustainable and self-sufficient
-integrates plants, animals, AND human communities
-e.g., used to successfully combat malnutrition in Malawi

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13
Q

inequalities in food production systems

A

-steady increase in world food prices since early 2000s –> rise of food outpaces production –> contributed to inequalities in food availability and affordability

-shift from grain-based diets to meat- and dairy-based diets as incomes rise –> requires more resources and has higher environmental impact

-higher oil prices leads to increased cost of transportation –> affects availability/affordability of food in remote and underpriveleged regions

-subsidies and tariffs from government policies and trade agreements

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14
Q

Factors that influence sustainability of terrestrial food production (list of 13)

A

-scale
-industrialisation
-mechanisation
-fossil fuel use
-seed
-crop and livestock changes
-water use
-fertilisers
-pest control
-pollinators
-antibiotics
-legislation
-levels of commercial vs. subsistence food production

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15
Q

nomadic food production system

A

-farmers move seasonally with herds
-e.g., Pokot pastoralists, Kenya

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16
Q

classes of terrestrial food production systems

A

-arable vs pastoral
-commercial vs subsistence
-intensive vs extensive
-nomadic vs sedentary

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17
Q

Transfers in soil (list of 2)

A

-biological mixing
-leaching

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18
Q

the soil of tropical rainforests

A

-very infertile due to high temps and rainfall, which produce weathered, leached soils lacking in nutrients

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19
Q

Biodynamic farming

A

-organic farming with spiritual and mystical perspectives
emphasises:
-crop diversity
-composting
-use of herbal/mineral preparations
-e.g., Scribe Biodynamic Winery, USA

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20
Q

food waste in MEDCs (list of 2)

A

-regulatory standards which require food to be DISCARDED by expiry dates

-over-purchasing and overselling (multi-packs)

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21
Q

Shelter belts (definition)

A

Woodflands planted along the margins of fields

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22
Q

Wind breaks (list 2)

A

-planting trees
-using rock lines

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23
Q

sedentary food production systems

A

-farmers remain in the same place throughout the year
-e.g., rice farmers in South-East Aisa

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24
Q

Inputs to soil system (list of 4)

A

-leaf litter
-inorganic matter from parent material
-precipitation
-energy

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25
Q

Soil conservation measures (list of 4)

A

-soil conditioners (organic materials and lime)
-wind reduction techniques (wind breaks and shelter belts)
-cultivation techniques (terracing, contour ploughing, striping cultivation)
-avoiding use of marginal lands

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26
Q

B horizon

A

-subsurface horizon
-below A horizon
-holds more water than A horizon
-contains less humus, soluble materials, organic matter
-site of mineral and metal salt deposition

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27
Q

contrasting food production systems

A

consider similarities and differences between:

-inputs (human, natural, labour, mechanical)

-outputs (quantity/quality, pollutants, chemicals, emissions)

system characteristics (e.g., selective breeding, genetic engineering, mono- vs poly-culture, sustainability, indigenous vs introduced crops)

-sociocultural (socio-cultural reasons/signififance of farming; farming for subsistence vs profit; local consumption vs export; quality or quantity)

-environmental impact (pollution, habitat loss, reduction in biodiversity, soil erosion)

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28
Q

green revolution

A

-third agricultural revolution
-period of technology transfer initiative that resulted in greatly increased crop yields
-began early 1900s in MEDCs and spread globally until the late 1980s

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29
Q

organic farming

A

-farming without synthetic chemicals
-focuses on sustainable practices
uses:
-natural fertilisers
-crop rotation
-composting
-biological pest control
-eg. Moonlake Investment Dairy Farms, Tasmania

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30
Q

DELETE storages in soil systems

A
  • organic matter
  • organisms
  • nutrients
  • minerals
  • air
  • water
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31
Q

cropping techniques for managing soil degradation

A

-prevents erosion through

-maintaining crop cover for as long as possible
-keeping stubble and root structure of crop after harvesting
-planting a grass crop (roots bind the soil, MINIMISING wind and rain effect on bare surface –> increased organic content allows soil to hold more water, preventing aerial erosion and stabilising soil structure)

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32
Q

reason for limiting ploughing of marginal areas

A

doing so leaves it bare and vulnerable to increased soil erosion

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33
Q

fertilisers (3 types)

A

-nitrogen-based
-phosphorus-based
-potassium-based

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34
Q

aquaculture

A

-farming of aquatic organisms such as fish and plants
-can be freshwater or marine
-includes fish-farming and oyster farming
-e.g., shrimp farming in Thailand

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35
Q

Leaching

A

Minerals dissolved in water moving down through soil

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36
Q

outputs of food production systems

A

-food quantity and quality
-pollutants (nitrates, fertilisers)
-chemicals from pesticides and herbicides
-emissions from machinery
-seeds
-animals for breeding

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37
Q

Soil texture triangle

A

Diagram to compare the composition of soil with sand, clay, and loam percentages identified

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38
Q

precision farming

A

-management concept based on field variability in crops
-uses technologies (eg GPS, sensors, data analytics) to optimise field-level management
-e.g., American Midwest

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39
Q

Outputs from soil system (list of 2)

A

-Uptake by plants
-Soil erosion

40
Q

Properties of soil (list of 7)

A

-mineral and nutrient content
-drainage
-water holding capacity
-air spaces
-biota
-potential to hold organic matter
-primary productivity

41
Q

What is causing per capita land for food production to decrease?

A

-urbanisation
-degradation of soil resources
-growing populations

42
Q

humification, degradation, mineralisation

A

process where ORGANIC MATTER breaks down –> nutrients are returned to the soil

  • breakdown releases organic acids (chelating agents) –> break down clay into SILICA, SOLUBLE IRON, ALUMINIUM
43
Q

A horizon

A

-humus
-the topsoil
-composed of organic matter and other decomposed materials
-where seed germination takes place/new roots are produced8

44
Q

soil degradation management techniques

A

-encouraging farmers towards extensive management practices

-methods are MECHANICAL (inc physical barriers) or VEGETATION COVER AND SOIL HUSBANDRY

45
Q

Arable food production

A

-the cultivation of crops
-e.g., corn belt in USA

46
Q

structure and properties of clay soils (8)

A

-narrowest particle diameter
-sticky; can be rolled up in a ball easily
-high water retention capacity
-poor drainage
-low biota
-high mineral content
-quite low primary productivity
-high acidity
-provides nutrients to plants

47
Q

Physical weathering (definition and examples)

A

Involves the mechanical breakdown of pieces of rock into small pieces

-e.g., frost, salt, insolation, biological weathering

48
Q

Soil profile

A

The layers (horizons) seen in a vertical cut through soil

49
Q

C horizon

A

-deprived of any organic matter
-made up of broken bedrock
-geological material present is cemented

50
Q

mechanical methods for soil degradation management

A

-includes:
bunding; terracing; countour ploughing; shelterbelts

-goal is to PREVENT or SLOW the movement of RAINWATER downslope

-shelterbelts protects against WIND EROSION

51
Q

Soil system storages (list of 6)

A

-organic matter
-organisms
-nutrients
-minerals
-air
-water

52
Q

O horizon

A

-organic horizon
-mostly organic matter such as decomposing leaves
-upper layer of topsoil

53
Q

What causes reduced soil fertility? (list of 4)

A

-soil erosion
-toxification
-salination
-dersertification

54
Q

agroforestry

A

-growing trees or shrubs aorund or among crops or pastureland
-combines agriculture and forestry
-improves biodiversity
-reduces erosion
-e.g., Quesungual Slash and Mulch Agroforestry System in Lempira Department, Honduras

55
Q

Strip cultivation

A

Planting alternating crops in a field to reduce nutrient depletion and the chance of pests

56
Q

structure and properties of loam soils

A

-ideal for agriculture
-a (fairly) equal combination of each soil type
-sand ensures good drainage, clay retains water and provides nutrients, and silt holds sand and clay particles together so they can be worked with easily
-intermediate mineral content
-intermediate potential to hold organic matter
-good drainage
-intermediate water holding capacity
-intermediate air spaces
-high biota
-high primary productivity

57
Q

rice growing

A

-example location: Ganges Valley
type of farming: intensive; subsistence
-inputs: HIGH labour, LOW technology
-outputs: HIGH per hectare, LOW per farmer
-efficiency: high
environmental impact: low –> padi rice has a POLYCULTURE stocked with fish; also grow other crops

58
Q

types of soil degradation

A

-erosion (by wind and water)

-biological degradation (loss of humus and plant/animal life)

-physical degradation (loss of structure and changes in permeability)

-chemical degradation (acidification, declining fertility, changes in pH, salinisation, chemical toxicity)

59
Q

no-plough cultivation

A

Replanting through stubble of old crop

60
Q

Terracing

A

Creating terraces (shelves) that step down/up the land with walls to support the soil from slipping

61
Q

erosion

A

-caused by wind and water
-many types in

62
Q

cereal growing

A

-example location: canadian prairies
-type of farming: extensive; commerical
-inputs: high use of technology and fertilisers
-outputs: LOW per hectare but HIGH per farmer
-efficiency: medium
environmental impact: HIGH - loss of natural ecosystems, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity

63
Q

Human activities that reduce soil fertility (list of 4)

A

-deforestation
-intensive grazing
-urbanisation
-certain agricultural practices such as IRRIGATION and MONOCULTURES

64
Q

Benefits of harvesting lower trophic levels (list 4)

A

-provides greater yield per unit area
-greater in quantity
-lower in cost
-may require fewer resources

65
Q

Parent material (definition)

A

The rock from which soil forms locally

66
Q

Soil conditioners (definition + examples)

A

Organic materials used to increase the pH of soil

-e.g., manure, mulches, lime (calcium carbonate)

67
Q

illuviation

A

-redeposition of material in the lower horizons

-creates ‘striping’/strata

68
Q

structure and properties of silt soils

A

-slippery
-hold together better than sandy soils
-medium sized particles
-easily compacted
-holds more moisture than sandy soils
-fertile
-fairly well drained

69
Q

Contour ploughing

A

Follows the contours of the land when ploughing to AVOID soil washing down hill

70
Q

DELETE inputs in soil systems

A
  • organic and parent material
  • precipitation
  • infiltration
  • energy
71
Q

relationship between soil ecosystem succession and soil fertility

A

Soil ecosystems mature through the process of succession.

  • Fertile soils need significant time to develop through the process of succession (approx. 3000 years)
  • Soil in early succession is less fertile and may lack the nutrients needed in order to help make plants grow.
  • As succession progresses, soil increases in fertility.
72
Q

Chemical weathering (Definition and types of weathering)

A

Breaks down chemical bonds, CHEMICALLY modifies the rock minerals and PRODUCES NEW COMPOUNDS

-the most common types of types are: oxidation, carbonation, hydrolysis, lichen

73
Q

inputs of food production system (11)

A

-fertilisers (artificial and organic)
-irrigation
-water
-rainfall
-pesticides (artificial and natural)
-fossil fuels
-food distribution
-human labour and mechanisation
-seeds (GMO and traditional)
-breeding stock (domestic and wild)
-hormones

74
Q

management of salt-affected soil

A

-flushing soil and leaching salt away

-application of chemicals (e.g., calcium sulfate) to REPLACE sodium ions in the clay

-REDUCTION up evaporation losses to REDUCE upward movement of water in soil

75
Q

agro-industrialisation

A

large-scale, intensive, high-input, high-output, commercial nature of much of modern farming

76
Q

shifting cultivation

A

example location: Amazon rainforest

77
Q

outputs in soil systems

A
  • leaching
  • uptake by plants
  • mass movement
78
Q

Stubble

A

The dead lower stem and roots of a harvested crop that remain in the land, holding the soil in place

79
Q

Subsistence food production

A

-products are consumed by cultivators/grown for local consumption
-small-scale
-low technology
-labor intensive
-diversified crops
-e.g., shifting cultivation by Kayapo people of Amazon rainforest

80
Q

conventional farming

A

-traditional farming with synthetic chemical inputs and monoculture
-high yields
-reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides
-often involves GMOs
e.g., Western Australia wheat belt region, Australia

81
Q

Commercial food production

A

-products are sold to make a profit
-large-scale
-high-technology
-mono-cropping/monocultures
-mechanised
-profit driven
-.e.g., market gardening in Netherlands

82
Q

extensive food production systems

A

-uses larger areas of land
-low inputs or yields per unit area
0low yield per hectare BUT larger overall production due to large land area
-e.g., reindeer herding in Siberia

83
Q

influences on the sustainablility of food production systems

A

-scale of farming
-industrialisation
-mechanisation
-fossil fuel use
-seed/crop/livestock choices
-water use
-fertilisers, pest control
-antibiotics
-legislation
-pollinators
-commercial vs subsitence food production

84
Q

Higher trophic levels (in relation to harvesting)

A

Harvesting from these may be a cultural choice

85
Q

intensive food production system

A

-high inputs or yields per unit area
-aims to maximise productivity
-high input of: labor; fertilisers; pesticides; technology
-e.g., cattle feed lots in California

86
Q

main components of soil and where they originate

A

FOUR components

-mineral particles (from underlying rock)
-organic remains (from plants and animals)
-water (within spaces between soil grains)
-air (within soil grains)

87
Q

Fertile soils

A

These require SIGNIFICANT TIME to develop through SUCCESSION and are considered a NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCE

88
Q

effect of addition of lime in conservation of soil

A

increases pH, counteracting soil acidifcation

89
Q

desertification

A

-process: vegetation in dry lands (arid and semi-arid) decrease and eventually disappear

90
Q

Causes of food waste in LEDCs (list of 5)

A

-lack of refrigeration
-transport infrastructure
-knowledge of markets
-communication
-information availability

91
Q

types of rock particles (4; 6)

A

-insoluble:
* gravel
* sand
* silt
* clay

soluble:
* mineral salts
* compounds of nitrogen
* phosphorus
* potassium
* sulphur
* magnesium

92
Q

Pastoral food production

A

-rearing of animals
-e.g., Masaii herdsmen of Kenya

93
Q

R horizon

A

-below C horizon
-compacted and cemented layer
-different rocks (granite, basalt, limestone) are present

94
Q

vertical farming

A

-growing crops in vertically stacked layers or structures
-controlled evnironment technology
-often hydroponics or aeroponics
-maximises space, particularly in urban areas
-e.g., Gigafarm, Dubai (also a hydroponics example)

95
Q

Choice of food production system (list of 5)

A

Influenced by the following factors:
-socioeconomic
-cultural
-ecological
-political
-economic

ESS all topic definitions and key points (10 decks)

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