5.4: Impact of Agriculture

Monocropping

Growing one single species of crop, such as corn, wheat, or soy.

Negatives of Monocropping

Decreases biodiversity, increases soil erosion, and decreases habitat diversity.

Tilling

The agricultural practice of mixing and breaking up soil to facilitate planting.

Negatives of Tilling

Increases soil erosion, leads to loss of organic matter and topsoil nutrients, and increases particulate matter in the air.

Slash and Burn

A method of agriculture that involves cutting down vegetation and burning it to clear land and return nutrients to the soil.

Negatives of Slash and Burn

Leads to deforestation, loss of habitat and biodiversity, releases greenhouse gases, and lowers albedo.

Synthetic (inorganic) Fertilizer

Fertilizers that do not return organic matter to the soil.

Negatives of Synthetic Fertilizer

Does not enhance soil water holding capacity, leaches into groundwater, and can cause eutrophication of surface waters.

Eutrophication

Excess nutrients in water bodies that lead to algal blooms and depletion of oxygen.

Leaching

The process by which water carries excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphates into groundwater or surface water.