chapter 14 & 23 food, soil conservation, and pest management

Chapter 14 & 23Chapter 14 & 23

Food, Soil Conservation, Food, Soil Conservation, and Pest Managementand Pest Management

Core Case Study: Golden Rice -Core Case Study: Golden Rice -Grains of Hope or an Illusion?Grains of Hope or an Illusion?

Golden rice is a new Golden rice is a new genetically genetically engineered strain of engineered strain of rice containing beta-rice containing beta-carotene.carotene.

Can inexpensively Can inexpensively supply vitamin A to supply vitamin A to malnourished.malnourished.

Figure 13-1Figure 13-1

Core Case Study: Golden Rice -Core Case Study: Golden Rice -Grains of Hope or an Illusion?Grains of Hope or an Illusion?

Critics contend that Critics contend that there are quicker and there are quicker and cheaper ways to cheaper ways to supply vitamin A.supply vitamin A.

Scientist call for Scientist call for more evidence that more evidence that the beta-carotene will the beta-carotene will be converted to be converted to vitamin A by the vitamin A by the body.body.


FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITIONFOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

Global food production has stayed ahead of Global food production has stayed ahead of population growth. However:population growth. However: One of six people in developing countries cannot One of six people in developing countries cannot

grow or buy the food they need.grow or buy the food they need. Others cannot meet their basic energy needs Others cannot meet their basic energy needs

(undernutrition / hunger) or protein and key (undernutrition / hunger) or protein and key nutrients (malnutrition).nutrients (malnutrition).


The root cause of hunger and malnutrition is The root cause of hunger and malnutrition is poverty.poverty.

Food securityFood security means that every person in a means that every person in a given area has daily access to enough given area has daily access to enough nutritious food to have an active and healthy nutritious food to have an active and healthy life.life. Need large amounts of Need large amounts of macronutrientsmacronutrients (protein, (protein,

carbohydrates, and fats).carbohydrates, and fats). Need smaller amounts of Need smaller amounts of micronutrientsmicronutrients

(vitamins such as A,C, and E).(vitamins such as A,C, and E).


One in three people One in three people has a deficiency of has a deficiency of one or more vitamins one or more vitamins and minerals, and minerals, especially vitamin A, especially vitamin A, iodine (causes goiter iodine (causes goiter - enlargement of - enlargement of thyroid gland), and thyroid gland), and iron. iron.


War and the EnvironmentWar and the Environment

Starving children Starving children collecting ants to eat collecting ants to eat in famine-stricken in famine-stricken Sudan, Africa which Sudan, Africa which has been involved in has been involved in civil war since 1983.civil war since 1983.


Solutions: Reducing Childhood Solutions: Reducing Childhood Deaths from Hunger and MalnutritionDeaths from Hunger and Malnutrition

There are several ways to reduce childhood There are several ways to reduce childhood deaths from nutrition-related causes:deaths from nutrition-related causes: Immunize children.Immunize children. Encourage breast-feeding.Encourage breast-feeding. Prevent dehydration from diarrhea.Prevent dehydration from diarrhea. Prevent blindness from vitamin A deficiency.Prevent blindness from vitamin A deficiency. Provide family planning.Provide family planning. Increase education for women.Increase education for women.

Overnutrition: Eating Too MuchOvernutrition: Eating Too Much

Overnutrition and lack of exercise can lead to Overnutrition and lack of exercise can lead to reduced life quality, poor health, and reduced life quality, poor health, and premature death.premature death.

A 2005 Boston University study found that A 2005 Boston University study found that about 60% of American adults are overweight about 60% of American adults are overweight and 33% are obeseand 33% are obese

Americans spend $42 billion per year trying Americans spend $42 billion per year trying to lose weight.to lose weight.

$24 billion per year is needed to eliminate $24 billion per year is needed to eliminate world hunger.world hunger.

FOOD PRODUCTIONFOOD PRODUCTION

Food production from croplands, rangelands, Food production from croplands, rangelands, ocean fisheries, and aquaculture has ocean fisheries, and aquaculture has increased dramatically.increased dramatically.

Wheat, rice, and corn provide more than half Wheat, rice, and corn provide more than half of the world’s consumed calories.of the world’s consumed calories. Fish and shellfish are an important source of food Fish and shellfish are an important source of food

for about 1 billion people mostly in Asia and in for about 1 billion people mostly in Asia and in coastal areas of developing countries.coastal areas of developing countries.

Industrial Food Production: Industrial Food Production: High Input MonoculturesHigh Input Monocultures

About 80% of the world’s food supply is About 80% of the world’s food supply is produced by industrialized agriculture.produced by industrialized agriculture. Uses large amounts of fossil fuel energy, water, Uses large amounts of fossil fuel energy, water,

commercial fertilizers, and pesticides to produce commercial fertilizers, and pesticides to produce monocultures.monocultures.

Greenhouses are increasingly being used.Greenhouses are increasingly being used. Plantations are being used in tropics for cash Plantations are being used in tropics for cash

crops such as coffee, sugarcane, bananas.crops such as coffee, sugarcane, bananas.

Fig. 13-4, p. 275

Plantation agriculture

Shifting cultivation

Industrialized agriculture

No agriculture

Intensive traditional ag.

Nomadic herding

FOOD PRODUCTIONFOOD PRODUCTION

Satellite images of massive and rapid Satellite images of massive and rapid development of greenhouse food production development of greenhouse food production in Spain from 1974 (left) to 2000 (right).in Spain from 1974 (left) to 2000 (right).


Industrial Food Production: Industrial Food Production: High Input MonoculturesHigh Input Monocultures

Livestock production in developed countries Livestock production in developed countries is industrialized:is industrialized: Feedlots are used to fatten up cattle before Feedlots are used to fatten up cattle before

slaughter.slaughter. Most pigs and chickens live in densely populated Most pigs and chickens live in densely populated

pens or cages.pens or cages. Most livestock are fed grain grown on cropland.Most livestock are fed grain grown on cropland. Systems use a lot of energy and water and Systems use a lot of energy and water and

produce huge amounts of animal waste.produce huge amounts of animal waste.

Case Study: Industrialized Food Case Study: Industrialized Food Production in the United StatesProduction in the United States

The U.S. uses industrialized agriculture to The U.S. uses industrialized agriculture to produce about 17% of the world’s grain.produce about 17% of the world’s grain. Relies on cheap energy to run machinery, Relies on cheap energy to run machinery,

process food, produce commercial fertilizer and process food, produce commercial fertilizer and pesticides.pesticides.

Case Study: Industrialized Food Case Study: Industrialized Food Production in the United StatesProduction in the United States

Industrialized agriculture uses about 17% of Industrialized agriculture uses about 17% of all commercial energy in the U.S. and food all commercial energy in the U.S. and food travels an average 2,400 kilometers from travels an average 2,400 kilometers from farm to plate.farm to plate.


Feed inputFeed input Edible WeightEdible Weight

20 kg20 kg 1 kg beef1 kg beef

7.3 kg7.3 kg 1 kg pork1 kg pork

4.5 kg4.5 kg 1 kg eggs 1 kg eggs

2.8 kg2.8 kg 1 kg chicken 1 kg chicken

1.1 kg1.1 kg 1 kg milk 1 kg milk

Land required to produce 1 kg of proteinLand required to produce 1 kg of protein

(245m(245m22))(90m(90m22) (23.5m) (23.5m22) (22m) (22m22) (14m) (14m22) )

Water required to produce 1 kg of proteinWater required to produce 1 kg of protein

(750kg)(750kg) (250kg) (175kg) (250kg) (175kg) (50kg) (15kg) (50kg) (15kg)

Traditional Agriculture: Low Input Traditional Agriculture: Low Input PolyculturePolyculture

Many farmers in developing countries use low-Many farmers in developing countries use low-input agriculture to grow a variety of crops on input agriculture to grow a variety of crops on each plot of land (interplanting) through:each plot of land (interplanting) through: Polyvarietal cultivationPolyvarietal cultivation: planting several genetic : planting several genetic

varieties.varieties. IntercroppingIntercropping: two or more different crops grown : two or more different crops grown

at the same time in a plot.at the same time in a plot. AgroforestryAgroforestry: crops and trees are grown together.: crops and trees are grown together. PolyculturePolyculture: different plants are planted together.: different plants are planted together.

Traditional Agriculture: Low Input Traditional Agriculture: Low Input PolyculturePolyculture

Research has Research has shown that, on shown that, on average, low input average, low input polyculture produces polyculture produces higher yields than higher yields than high-input high-input monoculture.monoculture.


SOIL EROSION AND DEGRADATIONSOIL EROSION AND DEGRADATION Soil erosion is the Soil erosion is the

movement of soil movement of soil components, components, especially surface litter especially surface litter and topsoil, by wind or and topsoil, by wind or water.water.

Soil erosion increases through activities such as farming, logging, Soil erosion increases through activities such as farming, logging, construction, overgrazing, and off-road vehicles.construction, overgrazing, and off-road vehicles. 1985 Food Security Act (Farm Act): farmers receive a subsidy for 1985 Food Security Act (Farm Act): farmers receive a subsidy for

taking highly erodible land out of production and replanting it with soil taking highly erodible land out of production and replanting it with soil saving plants for 10-15 years.saving plants for 10-15 years.


Desertification: Degrading DrylandsDesertification: Degrading Drylands

About one-third of the world’s land has lost About one-third of the world’s land has lost some of its productivity because of drought some of its productivity because of drought and human activities that reduce or degrade and human activities that reduce or degrade topsoil.topsoil.


Salinization Salinization and and

WaterloggingWaterlogging Repeated Repeated

irrigation can irrigation can reduce crop reduce crop yields by yields by causing salt causing salt buildup in the buildup in the soil and soil and waterlogging of waterlogging of crop plants.crop plants.


Salinization and Waterlogging of Salinization and Waterlogging of Soils: A Downside of IrrigationSoils: A Downside of Irrigation

Example of high Example of high evaporation, evaporation, poor drainage, poor drainage, and severe and severe salinization.salinization.

White alkaline White alkaline salts have salts have displaced cops.displaced cops.


SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THROUGH SOIL CONSERVATIONTHROUGH SOIL CONSERVATION

Terracing, contour Terracing, contour planting, strip planting, strip cropping, alley cropping, alley cropping, and cropping, and windbreaks can windbreaks can reduce soil reduce soil erosion.erosion.


Approximately ____ organisms Approximately ____ organisms supply 90% of our food?supply 90% of our food?

a.a. 1313

b.b. 2323

c.c. 3333

d.d. 4343

e.e. 5353

Which of the following types of Which of the following types of agriculture is most characteristic of agriculture is most characteristic of developing countries?developing countries?

a.a. Plantation agriculturePlantation agriculture

b.b. Traditional intensive agricultureTraditional intensive agriculture

c.c. Traditional subsistence agricultureTraditional subsistence agriculture

d.d. Industrialized agricultureIndustrialized agriculture

e.e. High-input agricultureHigh-input agriculture

Which of the following types of Which of the following types of agriculture is most characteristic of agriculture is most characteristic of developed countries?developed countries?

a.a. Plantation agriculturePlantation agriculture

b.b. Traditional intensive agricultureTraditional intensive agriculture

c.c. Traditional subsistence agricultureTraditional subsistence agriculture

d.d. Industrialized agricultureIndustrialized agriculture

e.e. High-input agricultureHigh-input agriculture

Vegetarianism is often cited as a partial solution to the Vegetarianism is often cited as a partial solution to the growing problem of deforestation and other types growing problem of deforestation and other types of habitat destruction as the human population of habitat destruction as the human population grows. Which of the following is true and supports grows. Which of the following is true and supports this reasoning?this reasoning?

a.a. Vegetarians are healthier due to a lack of animal Vegetarians are healthier due to a lack of animal fat in their dietsfat in their diets

b.b. More people can be fed using less agricultural land More people can be fed using less agricultural land because vegetarians eat at a lower trophic levelbecause vegetarians eat at a lower trophic level

c.c. Vegetarians consume fewer calories per person Vegetarians consume fewer calories per person and therefore require fewer acres of farmlandand therefore require fewer acres of farmland

d.d. Vegetarian diets often recommend consuming Vegetarian diets often recommend consuming large amounts of tree nuts as a source of protein, large amounts of tree nuts as a source of protein, which preserves forest habitatswhich preserves forest habitats

e.e. Vegetarian groups often support conservation Vegetarian groups often support conservation efforts that promote forest conservationefforts that promote forest conservation

Which layer in the soil profile represents the region with the Which layer in the soil profile represents the region with the greatest concentration of organic material?greatest concentration of organic material?

a.a. AAb.b. BBc.c. CCd.d. DDe.e. EE

A

B

C

D

E

A

B

C

D

E

Which layer in the soil profile represents the parent material Which layer in the soil profile represents the parent material region?region?

a.a. AAb.b. BBc.c. CCd.d. DDe.e. EE

A

B

C

D

E

A

B

C

D

E

SOIL EROSION AND DEGRADATIONSOIL EROSION AND DEGRADATION

Soil erosion lowers soil fertility and can Soil erosion lowers soil fertility and can overload nearby bodies of water with eroded overload nearby bodies of water with eroded sediment.sediment. Sheet erosionSheet erosion: surface water or wind peel off : surface water or wind peel off

thin layers of soil.thin layers of soil. Rill erosionRill erosion: fast-flowing little rivulets of surface : fast-flowing little rivulets of surface

water make small channels.water make small channels. Gully erosionGully erosion: fast-flowing water join together to : fast-flowing water join together to

cut wider and deeper ditches or gullies.cut wider and deeper ditches or gullies.

Global Outlook: Soil ErosionGlobal Outlook: Soil Erosion

Soil is eroding faster than it is forming on more Soil is eroding faster than it is forming on more than one-third of the world’s cropland.than one-third of the world’s cropland.



Modern farm machinery can plant crops Modern farm machinery can plant crops without disturbing soil (no-till and minimum without disturbing soil (no-till and minimum tillage.tillage. Conservation-tillage farming:Conservation-tillage farming:

• Increases crop yield.Increases crop yield.• Raises soil carbon content.Raises soil carbon content.• Lowers water use.Lowers water use.• Lowers pesticides.Lowers pesticides.• Uses less tractor fuel.Uses less tractor fuel.


Fertilizers can help restore soil nutrients, but Fertilizers can help restore soil nutrients, but runoff of inorganic fertilizers can cause water runoff of inorganic fertilizers can cause water pollution.pollution. Organic fertilizersOrganic fertilizers: from plant and animal (fresh, : from plant and animal (fresh,

manure, or compost) materials.manure, or compost) materials. Commercial inorganic fertilizersCommercial inorganic fertilizers: Active : Active

ingredients contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and ingredients contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium and other trace nutrients.potassium and other trace nutrients.

THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS THE GREEN REVOLUTION AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Since 1950, high-input agriculture has Since 1950, high-input agriculture has produced more crops per unit of land.produced more crops per unit of land.

In 1967, fast growing dwarf varieties of rice In 1967, fast growing dwarf varieties of rice and wheat were developed for tropics and and wheat were developed for tropics and subtropics.subtropics.



Lack of water, high costs for small farmers, Lack of water, high costs for small farmers, and physical limits to increasing crop yields and physical limits to increasing crop yields hinder expansion of the green revolution.hinder expansion of the green revolution.

Since 1978 the amount of irrigated land per Since 1978 the amount of irrigated land per person has declined due to:person has declined due to: Depletion of underground water supplies.Depletion of underground water supplies. Inefficient irrigation methods.Inefficient irrigation methods. Salt build-up.Salt build-up. Cost of irrigating crops.Cost of irrigating crops.


Modern agriculture has a greater harmful Modern agriculture has a greater harmful environmental impact than any human environmental impact than any human activity.activity.

Loss of a variety of genetically different crop Loss of a variety of genetically different crop and livestock strains might limit raw material and livestock strains might limit raw material needed for future green and gene needed for future green and gene revolutions.revolutions. In the U.S., 97% of the food plant varieties In the U.S., 97% of the food plant varieties

available in the 1940 no longer exist in large available in the 1940 no longer exist in large quantities.quantities.

Fig. 13-18, p. 285

Biodiversity Loss Soil Water Air Pollution Human Health Loss and degradation of grasslands, forests, and wetlands

Erosion Water waste Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use

Nitrates in drinking water

Loss of fertility Aquifer depletion

Pesticide residues in drinking water, food, and air

Salinization Increased runoff and flooding from cleared land

Other air pollutants from fossil fuel use

Fish kills from pesticide runoff

Waterlogging

Sediment pollution from erosion Greenhouse gas

emissions of nitrous oxide from use of inorganic fertilizers

Contamination of drinking and swimming water with disease organisms from livestock wastes

Desertification

Killing wild predators to protect livestock

Fish kills from pesticide runoff

Surface and groundwater pollution from pesticides and fertilizers Belching of the

greenhouse gas methane by cattle

Loss of genetic diversity of wild crop strains replaced by monoculture strains

Bacterial contamination of meat

Overfertilization of lakes and rivers from runoff of fertilizers, livestock wastes, and food processing wastes

Pollution from pesticide sprays

THE GENE REVOLUTIONTHE GENE REVOLUTION

To increase crop yields, we can mix the To increase crop yields, we can mix the genes of similar types of organisms and mix genes of similar types of organisms and mix the genes of different organisms.the genes of different organisms. Artificial selection has been used for centuries to Artificial selection has been used for centuries to

develop genetically improved varieties of crops.develop genetically improved varieties of crops. Genetic engineering develops improved strains Genetic engineering develops improved strains

at an exponential pace compared to artificial at an exponential pace compared to artificial selection.selection.

Controversy has arisen over the use of Controversy has arisen over the use of genetically modified food (GMF).genetically modified food (GMF).

Mixing GenesMixing Genes

Genetic engineering Genetic engineering involves splicing a involves splicing a gene from one gene from one species and species and transplanting the transplanting the DNA into another DNA into another species.species.



The winged bean, a The winged bean, a GMF, could be grown GMF, could be grown to help reduce to help reduce malnutrition and the malnutrition and the use of large amounts use of large amounts of inorganic of inorganic fertilizers.fertilizers.



Controversy has arisen over the use of Controversy has arisen over the use of genetically modified food (GMF).genetically modified food (GMF). Critics fear that we know too little about the long-Critics fear that we know too little about the long-

term potential harm to human and ecosystem term potential harm to human and ecosystem health.health.

There is controversy over legal ownership of There is controversy over legal ownership of genetically modified crop varieties and genetically modified crop varieties and whether GMFs should be labeled.whether GMFs should be labeled.

PRODUCING MORE MEATPRODUCING MORE MEAT

About half of the world’s meat is produced by About half of the world’s meat is produced by livestock grazing on grass.livestock grazing on grass.

The other half is produced under factory-like The other half is produced under factory-like conditions (feedlots).conditions (feedlots). Densely packed livestock are fed grain or fish Densely packed livestock are fed grain or fish

meal.meal. Eating more chicken and farm-raised fish and Eating more chicken and farm-raised fish and

less beef and pork reduces harmful less beef and pork reduces harmful environmental impacts of meat production.environmental impacts of meat production.

CATCHING AND RAISING MORE CATCHING AND RAISING MORE FISH AND SHELLFISHFISH AND SHELLFISH

After spectacular increases, the world’s total After spectacular increases, the world’s total and per capita marine and freshwater fish and per capita marine and freshwater fish and shellfish catches have leveled off.and shellfish catches have leveled off.


CATCHING AND RAISING MORE CATCHING AND RAISING MORE FISH AND SHELLFISHFISH AND SHELLFISH

Government subsidies given to the fishing Government subsidies given to the fishing industry are a major cause of overfishing.industry are a major cause of overfishing. Global fishing industry spends about $25 billion Global fishing industry spends about $25 billion

per year more than its catch is worth.per year more than its catch is worth. Without subsidies many fishing fleets would have Without subsidies many fishing fleets would have

to go out of business.to go out of business. Subsidies allow excess fishing with some Subsidies allow excess fishing with some

keeping their jobs longer with making less keeping their jobs longer with making less money.money.

Aquaculture: Aquatic FeedlotsAquaculture: Aquatic Feedlots

Raising large numbers of fish and shellfish in Raising large numbers of fish and shellfish in ponds and cages is world’s fastest growing ponds and cages is world’s fastest growing type of food production.type of food production.

Fish farming involves cultivating fish in a Fish farming involves cultivating fish in a controlled environment and harvesting them controlled environment and harvesting them in captivity.in captivity.

Fish ranching involves holding anadromous Fish ranching involves holding anadromous species that live part of their lives in species that live part of their lives in freshwater and part in saltwater.freshwater and part in saltwater. Fish are held for the first few years, released, Fish are held for the first few years, released,

and then harvested when they return to spawn.and then harvested when they return to spawn.

Fig. 13-24, p. 292

Trade-Offs

Aquaculture

Advantages Disadvantages

High efficiency Needs large inputs of land, feed, and water

High yield in small volume of water

Large waste output

Destroys mangrove forests and estuaries

Can reduce overharvesting of conventional fisheries Uses grain to feed

some species

Low fuel use Dense populations vulnerable to disease

Tanks too contaminated to use after about 5 years

High profits

Profits not tied to price of oil

SOLUTIONS: MOVING TOWARD SOLUTIONS: MOVING TOWARD GLOBAL FOOD SECURITYGLOBAL FOOD SECURITY

People in urban areas People in urban areas could save money by could save money by growing more of their growing more of their food.food. Urban gardens provide Urban gardens provide

about 15% of the about 15% of the world’s food supply.world’s food supply.

Up to 90% of the Up to 90% of the world’s food is wasted.world’s food is wasted.


Government Policies and Food Government Policies and Food ProductionProduction

Governments use three main approaches to Governments use three main approaches to influence food production:influence food production: Control pricesControl prices to keep prices artificially low. to keep prices artificially low. Provide subsidiesProvide subsidies to keep farmers in business. to keep farmers in business. Let the marketplace decideLet the marketplace decide rather that rather that

implementing price controls.implementing price controls.

chapter 14 & 23 food, soil conservation, and pest management

Documents

food security

nutritious food

industrial food production

food productionfood

worlds food supply

important source of

golden rice grains

undernutrition hunger