Adam Core Zach Anderson. Agriculture (Feeding a growing population) Key Terms: Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation;

Land and Water Use

Land and Water Use

Adam CoreZach Anderson

1Agriculture(Feeding a growing population)Key Terms: Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture.Important things to know: Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture.

One does not sell the Earth upon which the people walk. -Crazy HorseHuman Nutritional RequirementsHealthy DietSteady intake of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats2,500 calories- daily male average2,000 calories- daily female averageDaily intake of caloriesCarbohydrates- 60%Proteins- roughly 30%Fats- roughly 10%CommercializingCommercial Facts100 species commercially grown for human consumptionWheat and rice supply > 50% of human intake20% of richest countries consume 80% of the meat produced in the world.8 species of animal protein supply over 90% of the worlds needs. MalnutritionMalnutrition11 million children die every year of starvation850 million people around the world considered malnourishedCausesLack of nutrientsLack of clean drinking waterPoor transportation of food suppliesLiving below the poverty line

MalnutritionChronic undernourishment and vitamin or mineral deficiencies can lead to,Stunted growthWeaknessIncrease in susceptibility to illnessesAgricultureTypes of agricultureAgro-forestryPreserving/enhancing productivity of land by growing trees/shrubs around cropsAlley CroppingPlanting crops with rows of trees to increase biodiversity, while reducing runoff, erosion, and improving wildlife habitats, aesthetics of the area and the utilization of cropsCrop RotationGrowing different crops each year to reduce nutrient depletion in soilHigh-input AgricultureEmphasizing the use of mechanized equipment, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. Types of AgricultureIndustrial AgricultureCharacterized by using monocultures, synthetic inputs and mechanization to emphasize maximum productivity and profitabilityIntercroppingGrowing more then one crop in one field in alternating rows or sectionsInterplantingGrowing two different crops at the same time with the similar nutrient and moisture requirements in order for this process to be successfulLow InputSmall-scale, typically done using hand tools and natural fertilizersLow-tillLowering disturbances in the soil to prevent soil erosion which lowers labor costs, reduces the need for fertilizer, and saves energyTypes of AgricultureMonocultureCultivating a single cropOrganic FarmingRelying on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pests, and mechanical cultivation in order to maintain soil productivity and control pestsPlantationCommercial system based on the exporting of natural resources exploited from a tropical rain forest, intended for a profitPolycultureThe use of different crops in the same space in order to imitate the diversity of a natural ecosystem and to avoid monoculture. Includes crop rotation, multicropping, etc. to avoid susceptibility to disease and increase biodiversitySubsistenceBased off of survival with little to no crops for sale; typically organic due to a lack of money to buy fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified seeds. Green RevolutionFirst occurred 1950-1970Planting monocultures with heavy use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides with the widespread use of artificial irrigation systemsPre-Green RevolutionCrop production was correlated with increases in acreage under cultivationPost-Green RevolutionCrop acreage increased about 25%, but crop yield increased 200%Second Green Revolution1970s- present dayUtilizing genetically modified crops to produce maximum yields per acrei.e.- Of all the wheat grown in the U.S., 50% comes from 9 different genotypesCriticisms of the Green RevolutionProblems/failures of the Green RevolutionUnsustainableIncreased food production is not synonymous with food increased food securityIncreases the use of pesticidesReduced agricultural biodiversityDrop in productivity of land due to 30 years of desertification and other forms of land degradation.Genetic Engineering and Crop ProductionGenetic Engineering/Crop ProductionMoving genes from one species to another or designing gene sequences with certain desirable characteristicsPest, drought, mold, and saline resistance, higher protein yields, and a higher vitamin contentRoughly 75% of all crops grown come from genetically engineered or transgenic crop species Pros and Cons to Genetically Engineered CropsProsMay require less water and fertilizerHigher crop yieldsFaster growthGreater resistance to disease, drought, frost, and insectsMay be able to grow in saltier soils ConsUnknown ecological effectsLess biodiversityMay harm beneficial insectsMay pose allergen risksMay cause mutations with unknown consequencesMay cause pesticide-resistant strains IrrigationUsesDependant upon climate and degree of industrializations of all the freshwater on Earth is used for agricultureProblems70% of all irrigation can be lost to seepage, leakage, and evaporationIncreased human populations are outpacing the rate of land that is being irrigatedSustainable irrigation is limited due to elevated costs, restoration of wetlands and fisheries, water logging, and salinization Sustainable Agriculture3 Main goalsEnvironmental healthEconomic profitabilitySocial and economic equityChanges in agricultureReduced risks in farmingProblemsSignificant costsTopsoil depletionGroundwater contaminationDecline of family farmsIncreased costs of productionControlling PestsKey Terms: Integrated pest management; relevant laws.Important things to know: Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use.

PesticidesTypesBiologicalLiving organisms used to control pestsCarbamatesUrethanes, used to affect the nervous system of pests and easily dissolved in water making them a great risk of being dissolved in surface water and percolatingChlorinated HydrocarbonsSynthetic organic compounds that affect the nervous systems of pests and are highly resistant to decomposition and are highly persistent

Types of Pesticides (contd)FumigantsUsed to sterilize soil and prevent pest infestationInorganicBroad-based pesticides such as arsenic, copper, lead, and mercury that are highly toxic and accumulateOrganicNatural poisons coming from plantsOrganophosphatesExtremely toxic, but not very persistent

Costs and BenefitsBenefits Kill disease-carrying pestsMore profitable agricultureCheaper laborMore food = cheaper foodCostsAccumulation in food chainsResistance developing strainsPesticide runoff and its effects on aquatic environmentsInefficiencyThreat to endangered species, pollinators, and human health Integrated Pest ManagementStrategyEcological pest control designed to use a number of methods in order to reduce or eliminate the use of traditional pesticidesIt is not intended to eradicate pests but to control their population size to acceptable levelsChemical pesticides are considered as a last resortMethodsPolycultureIntercroppingPlanting pest-repellent cropsMulch to control weedsNatural insect predators

Forestry and RangelandsOld-GrowthDeforestationLarge-scale destruction of trees in an area by disease, cutting, burning, flooding, erosion, pollution, or volcanic activity.OvergrazingWhen a piece of land is grazed so that the plants can not regenerateDesertificationThe degradation of land from a rich soil and land into dry, barren lands.ExtinctDegradationForestry and RangelandsTree plantationsForest firesForest/rangeland managementStrip CuttingSeed Tree CuttingSelective CuttingFederal RangelandPlaces that are set aside by the government for sustainability purposes

ForestryForestsTemperateConifersPineSpruceTropicalFlat LeafOld Growth Forests are usually conifers.Rapid deforestation is called clear cuttingOld Growth trees are from 200 to 2000 years old. Land overuse causes desertification and can change the physical and chemical structure of the land.National forestsYellowstone- A forest that the govt has set aside so it cant be harvestedUrban Land DevelopmentPlanned DevelopmentCreating the different areas in a city to be used as housing, manufacturing, etcSuburban SprawlAs cities grew, people moved to the suburbs which caused a longer transportation time so it caused more pollution and a higher environmental price tag.UrbanizationThe economic change from a small village to a larger city that specialized in manufacturing that is not directly tied to the area.

Transportation InfrastructureImportanceContains around 160,000 miles (256,000 km) of roadwayCritical to the countrys economy, defense, and mobilityServes all major U.S. citiesFundingTypically receive considerable federal funding, but are owned, built, and operated by the states they are located.Current federal highway taxes include $0.18 per gallon tax on gas, $0.25 per gallon tax on diesel, with an additional tax on heavy vehiclesPublic and Federal LandsManagementThe federal government holds ~10% of the landWilderness AreasNational ParksTR added 52 national parks to protect speciesWildlife RefugesForests~30% of landBeing replanted as we use them now.WetlandsHelp hold water and filter waste

Land ConservationPreservationKeeping the ecosystem at a state by preventative actionRemediationClean chemical pollutants from an ecosystem by use of non-invasive methodsMitigationReplace a degraded site with an equal value one somewhere elseRestorationReturning an ecosystem to its original stateReclamationUsing powerful chemicals that will scrub a severely degraded site

Sustainable Land Use StrategiesLow Impact DevelopmentUsing sustainable materials and not disrupting large areas of the environmentZero Net WasteThree Rs Less Waste***Tremont***We loved itSustainable AgricultureUsing practices that decrease pollution and erosionMININGMineral FormationNatural crystalline structures in the ground that are formed by heat and pressure or sedimentation over time.Varying types based on time and pressureExtractionStrip MiningOpen Pit MiningDeep Underground MinesPlacer MinesPan for gold

Global reservesWe are mining almost 2 billion tons of minerals ever year world wideWe import 50% of our minerals.As minerals are becoming more scarce we settle for lower quality which produces more pollution b/c of the need for more processingOil Middle EastCoal ChinaNatural Gas Middle East, Europe, the Russian FederationLaws and TreatiesGeneral Mining Law (1872)- Allowing free access to look for minerals on public land and if found to stake a claim to said minerals.Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977)- Established a program to regulate surface coal mining and reclamation.Clean Air Act (1970)- The federal government started to regulate emissions to slow pollution.FishingFishing techniquesBottom TrawlingFunnel shaped net that catches everything in its pathDrift NetLong expanses of nets in the water. Outlawed >1.5 mi in 1992Long LineLong lines with thousands of hooks.

Overfishing1/3 of all catch is bycatchThe world is overfishing many of our oceans so that the fish population declinesManagementRegulate LocationsSet federal catch limitsImplement fees for commercial fishingIncrease areas of no fishingOutlaw methods that dont allow bycatch escapeAquacultureCommercial growing of fish and aquatic animalsStocking, Feeding, and Harvesting of seaweed, mussels, oysters, shrimp, salmon, troutTo be successful it must be cheap and marketable

Laws and treatiesFish and Wildlife Act- Established a national fish and shellfish resource policy directed toward industry.Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act- Assistance in training state fish and wildlife officers and developing conservation plans for nongame fish and wildlifeGlobal EconomicsGlobalizationAs the world becomes filled with more developed countries it will stress the environment and the economy.The effects of the human disruptions have increasingly become interlinked with the economic value and environmental value both important.World bankA large source of low interest loans, credit, and grants for developing countries.2005- Affirmed their support for green alternatives and provides countries with billions of dollars to use in conservation effortsThree Areas of InterestImproving quality of lifeImproving the quality of growthProtecting the quality of the regional and global commons through green programs.Tragedy of the commonsWhen the commons (Sea, Air, Land, Timber) is taken by one person and negatively impacts everyone else. Exploiters get rich but everyone else pays the price in economic and mainly environmental cost.