Farming systems in the world Spring 2003 Manuel Corro AGED 4713 International Agriculture.

Farming systems in the worldSpring 2003 Manuel CorroAGED 4713 International Agriculture

Objectives Know differences between tropical and temperate environments Differentiate types of agricultural systems Compare and contrast selected farm types, sizes and operations in other nations Explain how farmers in other countries produce food. Examples of farming systems

Tropic of CapricornTropic of Cancer

Temperate vs TropicalAbove 30 Degrees north & south equatorRainfallTemperature: mild EcosystemLow Disease threat

From equator to 30 Degrees north &southExtreme : from almost nothing to >4000 mmHottest to mild temperature Fragile ecosystemHigh levels of diseases

Cooler and drier vs. Warm and wet environmentsLess biomass< BiodiversityLess complexMore vulnerable

> biomass (organic matter)> BiodiversityComplex food web Very Fragile environment

Climate and topography are the most significant environmental factors that determine ecosystem

Climatic ClassificationThe modified Kppen climatic classification system organize the worlds regions into six climatic zones 5 based on precipitation: 4 moist , 1 dry 1 based on topography

Climatic Zones Source: The National Geographic Reference Desk, p.117 (1999)

Earths Biomes ClassificationU. S. Forest system classifies earths biomes into the following categories:forestgrasslanddeserttundra

Source: The National Geographic Reference Desk, p. 234 (1999)

Biomes They are macroregional ecosystems based on life -forms (the form, structure,and function of the organisms) rather than on sets of particular species.Biomes enable comparisons between regions to improve the understanding of ecosystem process and to establish management practices when new species (crops) are introduced from elsewhere.

U. S. Forest Classification is further divided into 15 categories:

Forest BiomesSource: The National Geographic Reference Desk, p. 234 (1999)

Any Questions ?

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