Env. Sci Unit 7: Land & Water Use

Pros of Green Revolution

Increases efficiency of lands, short term profit and food supply (decrease world hunger, increase carrying capacity)

Cons of Green Revolution

soil erosion, biodiversity loss, ground + surface water loss

Salinization

increased salts in water from soils

Dams

used to hold water in reservoirs

aquifer depletion

when water is removed from groundwater sources quicker than it can naturally replenish

saltwater intrusion

as sea levels rise, salt water encroaches into freshwater sources

erosion

removal of soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location to another by weathering or human activity

nutrient depletion

loss of essential soil materials, reducing soil fertility

water pollution

nutrient runoff, sediment runoff, pathogens

air pollution

car emissions, agriculture activity

Gmos Pros

increase profit with fewer plants lost to drought, disease or pests

GMOs Cons

decreased genetic diversity, increased susceptibility to disease

Meat Production Cons

Soil degradation (due to overgrazing and land use, deforestation), Habitat Destruction

CAFO

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

CAFO Pros

decreased cost of food, increased employment, antibiotics used

CAFO Cons

a lot of water used, high production of manure and CO2 emissions

Mechanization

increased use of tractors for tilling (increased profit and FF), increased reliance on FF

Synthetic Fertilizer

increased yield + profit as they have more key nutrients, but produce excessive nitrate and phosphorus thats washed off into fields

Aquifer Depletion Factors

agriculture; over-pumping wells

Agriculture Depletion Implecations

farmers abandon wells, no more groundwater available for future farmers, not enough food able to be produced to sustain populations

Solutions for wasteful irrigation methods

set strict irrigation limits, switch to crops that use less water, dryland farming, financial incentives for using less water (subsidies)

soil importance

provide nutrients for plants to grow