LAND A WATER USE PART 1

Undernutrition

Not consuming enough calories to be healthy. (less than 2,000 calories / day) - carbs

Malnourished

A persons diet lacks the correct balance of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals even though they get enough calories. (nearly ½ of the world’s population according to the WHO) - protein

Diet lacks the right balance of nutrients, even if calories are enough.

Over nutrition

Too many calories and improper foods that causes a person to become overweight. + sugars

Global Grain Production 1950-2006

Mostly wheat, corn, and rice (also soybeans, oats, and potatoes).

-Grains are the largest component of the human diet. 

-However in the U.S. most grain feeds cattle

The Green Revolution

1930’s to the late 1960’s (India later)

New management techniques and mechanization as well as the triad of fertilization, irrigation, and improved crop varieties.  This has increased food production dramatically.

Dependent on large amounts of

• Synthetic fertilizers 

• Chemical pesticides 

• Irrigation  

• Heavy equipment

Increased food production using fertilizers, irrigation, and improved crop

Pesticide Treadmill

The cycle of pesticide development followed by pest resistance, followed by development of a new pesticide. (chemists increase chemical toxicity to compete with resistant pests)

Cycle of pests becoming resistant, requiring new stronger pesticides.

Bioaccumulation

Some pesticides are found to build up over time in the fatty tissues of predators.  (ex. DDT) - DDT is a persistent organic pollutant  

When an organism containing the pesticide is eaten, the chemical is transferred to the consumer.  

- This leads to  high pesticide 

concentrations at higher trophic levels. l

Pesticides build up in predators' fatty tissues over time.evels.  

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Organisms that have been genetically engineered to contain 1 or 2 additional genes..

Organisms with added genes to enhance traits.

Monoculture

A large expanse of a single crop.

• More efficient and increases output

• Devastates biodiversity

• Easily susceptible to disease and pests.

• Narrows human diet: 90% of our food comes from 15 crop species and 8 livestock species

Growing one crop in a large area; efficient but reduces biodiversity.

CAFO’s (Concentrated animal feeding operation)

large structures where animals are being raised in high density numbers.

High-density animal farming in large facilities.

Free Range

Animals, for part of the day, can roam.

No-till Agriculture

Helps to stop soil degradation by leaving crop residues in the fields and not tilling the land after each harvest.  

• Excellent erosion control and soil health

• Water conservation (residues absorb and hold)

• Elevated moisture levels in the soil can promote fungal diseases.

• Minimum fuel and 

Labor costs

• More herbicide use 

but less runoff 

Leaving crop residue in fields to improve soil and reduce erosion.

Integrated pest management

Using a variety of techniques designed to minimize pesticide inputs including crop rotation, Intercropping, planting pest resistant crop varieties, creating habitats for predators, and limited use of pesticides

Using multiple methods to control pests with less pesticide.

Organic Agriculture

Production of crops without the heavy use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

-It has not been proven to be healthier

-Healthier soil and some environmental advantages

-Farmers can make more profit (demand

Growing crops without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

Fishery (Harvesting of Fish and Shellfish)

A commercially harvestable population of fish within a particular ecological region.

A harvestable population of fish in a specific area.

Fishery collapse (Harvesting of Fish and Shellfish)

The decline of a fish population by 90% or more.

Bycatch (Harvesting of Fish and Shellfish)

Unintentional catch of non-target specie

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and seaweeds. It is one way to meet the demand for seafood while also reducing pressure on wild fish

Farming of fish, shellfish, or seaweed.