topic 5 Flashcards
case study #1 for contrasting food production systems (inputs, outputs, system characteristics, environmental impacts, and socio-cultural factors)
1: Shifting cultivation in MEXICO; the Popoluca Peoples
INPUTS
natural fertiliser (manure); tree burning for soil enrichment as in forest; low labour/tool input
OUTPUTS
low (enough to feed community); seeds, fruits, insects, animals
CHARACTERISTICS
polyculture (250 crops); small (3-4 ha); subsistence, arable, semi-nomadic
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
cutting down and burning vegetation is BELIEVED to have some long-term effects on soil quality
SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS:
community-centred and communal; based in traditional practice; serves the community
Examples of the differences between industrial and subsistence farming systems (3 factors)
commercial farming: mostly medcs
subsistence: mostly LEDCS
SCALE OF FARMING
-commercial: large scale, relies on machiner, chemicals, fossil fuels
subsistence: small scale, more labour intensive, may still rely on chemicals to boost production
WATER USE
commercial: very heavy water demands; large scale irrigation that diverts from people and causes localised water supply issues
subsistence: also requires water; may also use water unsustainably
SEED/CROP/LIVESTOCK CHOICES
-commercial: sometimes grow crops/keep animals that are NOT INDIGENOUS –> creates increased need for irrigation, glass houses, feedstuff import
subsistence: usually uses indigenous organisms, less likely to cause these issues
Explain how soil can be viewed as an ecosystem
-goes through succession
-made up of air, water, minerals, organic matter, micro- and macro-organisms working together
-contains living organisms
Evaluate the relative environmental impacts of two given food production systems.
shifting cultivation in Mexico: cutting down and burning vegetation is BELIEVED to have some long-term effects on soil quality, but relatively low next to the very high environmental impact of Danish pig farming (high fossil fuel use, high amounts of manure and methane produced); high amounts of artifical polluting inputs (fertilisers, pesticides, etc)
igh use of fossil fuels in product distribution and running machines
-high amounts of manure produced -> smell impacts people, produces methane during decomp
-fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation water used to increase crop yields
Discuss the links that exist between sociocultural systems and food
production systems
socioeconomic factors:
-the higher the income, the more prevalent meat and processed food production is
-LEDCs may rely more on subsistence production systems b/c limited resources
-cultural factors:
cultural preferences for crops/livestock influence selection of production (e.g., vegetarian cultures like India, plant-based ag is prioritised)
-religious or ethical beliefs may influence preferences for organic, vegetarian, or sustainable production methods
-ecological factors:
-natural resources (land availability, cliamte conditions, water availability) determine the sustainability and preference for different production systems
-political factors:
some government bodies may promote certain production systems over others through financial incentive (eg EU’s Common Agricultural Policy offers financial support for farmers who go organic)
-economic factors (cost-effectiveness, profitability, market demand) –> countries with strong ag sectors might prioritise large-scale industrial farming for export ; small-scale sustainable farming may be economically viable in isolated regions
Discuss the influences of human activities on soil fertility and soil erosion
-overgrazing REMOVES PLANTS that SECURES TOPSOIL, leading to erosion
-deforestation REMOVES SOIL STABILISERS, soil becomes loose and eroded and fertile topsoil is lost
-unsustainable agriculture ALTERS natural nutrient cycling and monocultures can drain ALL NUTRIENTS
-irrigation can result in SALINISATION of soils if contaminated with salt
Example of an important figure in the green revolution
-1940
-Ag scientist Norman Borlaug is referred to as ‘the father of the Green Revolution’
-promoted the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and irrigation –> this significantly increased crop yields
-Won the Nobel Peace Prize as his efforts alleviated hunger in Pakistan, Mexico, and India
soil conservation case study
WHERE: great plains of usa; ‘dust bowl’ event
-WHEN: 1930s during severe drought; soil suffered severe wind erosion
CONSERVATION EFFORTS:
-contour ploughing
-strip cultivation (alternating cultivated and fallow land)
-temporary cover crops (e.g., fast-growing millet)
-shallow ploughing to ELIMINATE weeds and COSNERVE crop residues on surface
-summer fallow to REGENERATE soil nitrogen and CONSERVE moisture
-converting some areas to PERMANENT GRAZING
-shelterbelt of ‘grass-break’ to stabilise soils through accumulation of organic matter
evaluation: overall have lowered the RISK of soil erosion and REDUCED nitrogen loss
case study 2 for contrasting food production systems (inputs, outputs, system characteristics, environmental impacts, and socio-cultural factors)
2: INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL pig production in DENMARK; the Danes
INPUTS
heavily mechanised (feeding, transport, etc); vetinary services; growth hormones; antibiotics; much more artifical inputs
OUTPUTS
-primarily pigs
-occasionally cereals and dairy herd
SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS
commercial
pastoral
intensive
sedentary
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
-high
-high use of fossil fuels in product distribution and running machines
-high amounts of manure produced -> smell impacts people, produces methane during decomp
-fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation water used to increase crop yields
SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS
economically viable for country
