ASSESSMENT 2: Food Security Inquiry & Validation Test

Hass Assesment 2 Revision

Latitude and longitude of the South-Western slopes

35° 16′ S,   139° 10′ E   to   25° 50′ S,   151° 8′ E 

Location of the South-Western slopes

Extending roughly from Dubbo down to Albury

Area of South-Western slopes

Roughly 87,000km² 

Climate of South-Western slopes

Temperate, sub humid 

What is fresh water shortage?

Lack of sufficient, accessible, and safe water to meet demands

What factors (human or natural) are effecting fresh water in the Murray Darling Basin? 

Overallocation of water used in agriculture
Climate change causing prolonged dry seasons
Long droughts (such as the Millenium Drought in 2000s)

What caused the 2000s Millenium Drought?

According to the South Australia department for environment and water, the drought was caused by long periods of no rain, extreme heat and overallocation.

What is salinity?

Salinity is the concentration of dissolved salts in water or soil

How has salinity reduced the availability of fresh water in the South-Western slopes?

Moves stored salts into water systems through land clearing and agricultural practices

What is agricultural productivity?

How people use a place’s land, labour, capital and water to grow crops and raise animals

What impacts is the shortage of fresh water in the South-Western Slopes having on agricultural productivity?

Reducing crop yields, causing significant livestock destocking, and increasing operational costs

Latitude and longitude of Horn of Africa

1°30′ S, 36°30′ E to 18°00′ N, 51°00′ E

Horn of Africa countries?

Peninsula of eastern Africa including
Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and parts of Kenya

How have recent droughts in the Horn of Africa affected crop and livestock production, and how does this affect the area's food‑security?

The Horn of Africa relies on agriculture to maintain food security
Drought can cause crop losses and agriculture losses.

How can the Horn of Africa counter droughts?

Growing crops like cowpea and green gram due to their drought resistance and raising camels due to their reliable source of milk, meat and transport

Primary causes of water shortage in the Horn of Africa

Multi‑year droughts from failed rain
Climate change amplification. According to the World Meteorological Organization climate change was a major driver for droughts in the Horn of Africa

Primary causes of water shortage in the South-Western slopes

Human extraction and overallocation
Climate drying and drought. According to the Australian National University, roughly half of streamflow has declined due to climate trends

What short term adaptation and policy responses have been implemented in the Horn of Africa?

Emergency food aid. Organisations provide food during drought to prevent famine
Water trucking. Water delivered to communities during severe shortages Livestock support. Feed and veterinary care provided to reduce animal deaths

What long term adaptation and policy responses have been implemented in the Horn of Africa?

Drought-resistant crops

Water infrastructure. Wells, boreholes and small dams increase water access

Early warning systems. According to the UNDRR, many countries have already integrated forecasting systems help prepare for drought. People store food and water and move livestock to areas with more pasture and water

What short term adaptation and policy responses have been implemented in the South-Western Slopes?

Water restrictions during droughts. Farmers receive lower water allocations in dry years to reduce overuse 

Emergency environmental water releases. Controlled releases used to maintain river health

What long term adaptation and policy responses have been implemented in the South-Western Slopes?

The MDBA's Basin Plan. Aims to recover water for the environment and set sustainable diversion limits

Improved irrigation efficiency. Technologies like drip irrigation (slow release of water directly to the plants) reduce water waste

What is a biome?

A large, distinct geographical region characterized by its specific climate, soil, plants, and animal life

What effects biome location?

Biome locations are primarily determined by climate, specifically temperature, precipitation, and sunlight

What is food and fibre production?

Growing crops and raising animals in managed environments, such as farms, to create essential materials for human life

How do humans change biomes for farming?

Clearing Native Vegetation
Conversion to Agricultural Land
Water Modification
Chemical Inputs
Livestock Grazing
Food Waste and Land Use

What is food security?

When all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life

What are the four pillars of food security?

Availability, Access, Utilization, and Stability

Pillar 1, Availability

Focuses on having sufficient quantities of food of appropriate quality available, either through domestic production or imports.

Pillar 2, Access

Refers to economic, social, and physical access to food, meaning individuals have adequate income or resources to obtain food for a nutritious diet.

Pillar 3, Utilization

Addresses how the body makes the most of the food, including consumption of nutritious, safe food, proper preparation, and access to clean water and sanitation.

Pillar 4, Stability

Ensures that the other three pillars (availability, access, and utilization) are maintained over time, even during crises or sudden shocks like economic downturns or extreme weather

How does climate change affect food production?

Changes rainfall, increases droughts, reduces crop yields.