Week 4: Notes and Slides (17)

Question 1

What type of infrastructure change is required in rice-paddy farming that impacts the flow of rivers?

Answer 1

Rivers are often dammed, and their flow is controlled to manage water for paddy fields.

Question 2

What is terracing in the context of rice-paddy farming?

Answer 2

Terracing is the practice of creating flat, stepped areas on sloped land to facilitate water distribution for rice cultivation.

Question 3

True or False

Once the infrastructure for rice-paddy farming is established, it has a continuously high environmental impact.

Answer 3

False. Once established, rice-paddy farming has minimal further environmental impact, making it sustainable in the long run.

Question 4

Which of the following is a primary reason for controlling river flow in rice-paddy farming?

A) To reduce soil erosion
B) To ensure a continuous supply of water to the paddies
C) To prevent flooding in cities
D) To increase fish population

Answer 4

b

Question 5

Match the Following
Match each term with its description:

TERM:
Methane Production
Damming Rivers
Terracing
Ecosystem Realignment

DESCRIPTION:
1. Redirects river water flow to sustain paddy fields

2. Alters natural habitats to suit agricultural needs
3. Creates steps on slopes to retain water
4. Leads to greenhouse gas emissions from flooded paddies

Answer 5

Methane Production — 4
Damming Rivers — 1
Terracing — 3
Ecosystem Realignment — 2

Question 6

Yes or No

Does rice-paddy farming require knowledge of water management techniques to prevent crop damage?

Answer 6

YES

Question 7

Why is methane production from wet-rice cultivation significant to climate studies?

Answer 7

Methane from wet-rice cultivation is a potent greenhouse gas and its presence in ice cores reveals historical agricultural impacts on the environment.

Question 8

Fill in the Blank

Controlling the flow of rivers and __________ are two major transformational processes in rice-paddy farming.

Answer 8

Answer: terracing

Question 9

True or False

Terracing has no impact on the local ecosystem.

Answer 9

False. Terracing reshapes the landscape, disrupts natural habitats, and can lead to soil degradation over time.

Question 10

What is a hidden environmental benefit of the initial transformation required for rice-paddy farming?

A) It increases biodiversity in the area

B) It promotes soil fertility naturally

C) It reduces greenhouse gas emissions

D) It requires no further environmental changes once established

Answer 10

D