Ag Exam Unit 1

List 5 ways pre-European Indigenous managed land and how they harvested food

1. Only taking the top off of crops so that they would grow again

2. Trading seeds along long distances

3. Fire-sticking

4. Farming without stressing the land

5. Fish Traps

Describe the roles and cycle of Fire-stick farming

Prevents major wild fires by creating a controlled burn →

Clears up vegetation on the forest floors to create more grass→

Brings more animals like kangaroos wombats.→

This brings more humans who do more fire-sticking. → ^

List 4 Impacts of traditional European practices on the Australian environment

1. Land clearing and deforestation

2. Introduction of invasive species

3. Overgrazing by livestock

4. Urbanisation/Industrialisation

List 3 impacts that Land clearing and deforestation has on the environment

1. Habitat loss

2. Decreased biodiversity (Native animals forced to leave)

3. Soil erosion/degradation (Tree roots removed, water table rises, salinity)

Explain the impact that introducing invasive species has on the environment

1. Disrupts local environmental systems by causing native species to compete with the new species.

2. Can lead to extinction of some native plants and animals and decrease biodiversity.

Explain the impact overgrazing livestock has on the environment

1. Damages native vegetation, leading to soil erosion, loss of plant biodiversity and land degradation.

2. Compacts the soil, reducing its ability to absorb water.

Explain the impact Urbanisation/Industrialisation has on the environment

1. Leads to habitat loss

2. Pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Replaces nature with buildings and roads, reducing biodiversity.

What is automation and how can this improve farm efficiencies

1. The inclusion of machines and technology in farming.

2. Can improve efficiency by lowering physical labour and increasing production speed and accuracy.

Evaluate the impacts new technologies can have on farms

Positive impacts:

1. Decrease in labour

2. Increase in sustainability, production speed and efficiency

   Negative impacts:

3. Usually needs training and certificates to use

4. An initial cost to buy.

Define Climate

The average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time

Define weather

The day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere, including temperature, rain, wind, and sunshine.

Define Isotherms

Lines on a map that connect places with the same temperature.

How do isotherms affect the distribution of pests and diseases?

As isotherms shift with changing temperatures, pests and diseases can move into new areas that were previously too cold for them.

How will projected climate change impact isotherms and pest/disease spread?

Isotherms (lines of equal temperature) will shift upward in elevation as global temperatures rise. This shift means pests and diseases that thrive in warmer climates will expand.

List the 4 predicted trends of climate change?

• Rising global temperatures

• Changes in rainfall patterns (more droughts and floods)

• Melting polar ice and rising sea levels

• Increased severity of extreme weather events

List 5 strategies growers can use to combat climate change in food and fibre production?

• Drought-resistant crop varieties

• Improve water management (drip irrigation)

• Rotate crops

• Renewable energy

• No-till or low-till farming

Describe how the carbon cycle interacts with farming ecosystems

Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere→

Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. →

Healthy soil stores carbon, helping reduce greenhouse gases. →

Livestock eat the grass and release Carbon Dioxide back into the atmosphere→

Alternatively, Machinery releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere→ ^

Define GM (Genetically Modified)

Plants that have had their DNA changed using genetic engineering to give them new traits

List 5 examples of GM crops

1. Corn

2. Potatoes

3. Soy

4. Cotton

5. Papaya

List 3 consumer concerns with GM food crops?

• Health risks: Worries about allergies or long-term effects.

• Environmental impact: Fear of harming non-target species or creating "superweeds."

• Ethical issues: Concerns about tampering with nature.

Explain how GM poultry works

In birds, females are ZW and males are ZZ. Genetic modification targets the W chromosome, so only females (ZW) carry the inserted gene. This allows for easier identification or control of sex in poultry production.

List the three components of the fine-earth fraction and identify their properties

• Sand – Large particles, gritty texture, drains quickly, low nutrient holding.

• Silt – Medium particles, smooth/soft texture, holds water better than sand.

• Clay – Smallest particles, sticky when wet, holds nutrients and water well, slow drainage.

How does pH affect nutrient availability

It affects how easily plants can absorb nutrients and which nutrients

How can soil pH be corrected?

• To raise pH (make less acidic): Add lime

• To lower pH (make more acidic): Add urea or fertilizers.

Describe the soil medium, Coir?

• Made from coconut husks

• Holds water well

• Good aeration

• pH neutral,

• Low in nutrition

Describe the soil medium, Vermiculite?

• Excellent water holding

• Holds nutrients well

• Can hold too much water

• May compress over time.

Describe the soil medium, Perlite?

• Great aeration and drainage

• Lightweight

• Doesn’t retain water well

• Dusty

• Adds little to no nutrients.

List 3 Benefits of Artificial growing mediums

• Lightweight and easy to handle

• Sterile (no weeds or pests)

• Customisable

List 4 Drawbacks of Artificial growing mediums

• Often lack nutrients (need added fertilisers)

• Can dry out quickly or hold too much water

• More expensive than natural soil

• Not always environmentally friendly to obtain

Explain soil sodicity and how to treat it

Definition:

• When too much salt builds up in the soil, causing soil particles to disperse.

  Treatment:

• Apply gypsum (calcium sulfate)

• Improve drainage

• Irrigate deeply with quality water

Define soil Salinity and list 4 ways it can occur

The build-up of too much salt in the soil, which can harm plant growth.

Ways salinity can occur:

1. Natural salt in soil or groundwater

2. Rising salty groundwater to the surface

3. Poor drainage causing salt to accumulate

4. Clearing deep-rooted plants, causing water tables and salts to rise

List 3 different chemicals used to control pests, weeds and diseases on farm

• Copper sulfate (Fungicide)

• Glyphosate (Herbicide)

• Malathion (Pesticide)

Explain oral and dermal LD50 and why are they important?

• Oral LD50: The dose of a chemical that kills 50% of test animals when swallowed.

• Dermal LD50: The dose that kills 50% of test animals through skin contact.

• Importance: Knowing LD50 helps measure how toxic a chemical is and guides safe handling and usage to protect humans and animals.

List 8 safety measures to take when spraying chemicals (Before, during, after)

• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, mask, goggles, and long sleeves

• Read and follow the chemical label instructions carefully

• Spray only in suitable weather (avoid windy or rainy conditions)

• Keep people, animals, and water sources away from spraying area

• Use correct mixing and application rates

• Wash hands and exposed skin after spraying

• Store chemicals safely, away from children and pets

• Dispose of containers and leftover chemicals properly

List the steps of the Nitrogen Cycle (5)

Nitrogen in the air →

Comes down through lightning→

Nitrogen in soil through air, fertilisers and lightning →

Absorbed by roots into plants →

Eaten by livestock and pooed back into soil/air →

Explain the Indigenous Hunter-Gatherer Theory

Indigenous people sustainably managed land by hunting animals and gathering plants without farming. This involved seasonal movement and care for the land.

Explain the Indigenous Farmer Theory

Indigenous Australians practiced forms of farming, such as controlled burning, planting and harvesting native crops to manage and improve the land.