Controlling Abiotic Factors | AQA A-Level Environmental Science Revision | Primrose Kitten Flashcard set · 18 terms · by Primrose_Kitten

Factor in shortest supply affecting process rate.

Limiting Factor

Managing temperature to optimize crop and livestock growth.

Temperature Control

Loss of enzyme function due to extreme temperatures.

Enzyme Denaturation

Speed of increase in size or yield of organisms.

Growth Rate

Ice crystals forming on crops due to low temperatures.

Frost Formation

Structures maintaining optimal temperature and light for plants.

Greenhouses

Land features influencing temperature and air movement.

Topography

Water loss from soil and plants to the atmosphere.

Evapotranspiration

Amount of light available for photosynthesis.

Light Intensity

Man-made light used to control plant growth conditions.

Artificial Lighting

Physical composition of soil affecting water retention.

Soil Texture

Amount of water accessible for plant use.

Water Availability

Application of water to soil for crop growth.

Irrigation

Cell firmness due to water pressure in plant cells.

Turgidity

Lack of oxygen in soil, affecting plant health.

Anaerobic Conditions

Loss of nutrients from soil due to water runoff.

Nutrient Leaching

Removal of excess water from soil to prevent waterlogging.

Drainage

Process of plants taking in CO2 for photosynthesis.

Carbon Dioxide Absorption

Total production of crops per unit area.

Crop Yield

Increase in size and weight of farm animals.

Livestock Growth

Total energy consumed in material production and construction.

Embodied Energy

Essential nutrients for plant growth, absorbed in water.

Nitrates

Excess water in soil, leading to poor plant growth.

Waterlogging

Natural energy sources contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

Fossil Fuels

A method that helps to aerate the soil to prevent compaction and waterlogging.

Ploughing

Encouraged to aerate the soil through tunneling, preventing waterlogging.

Worm populations

Materials added to the soil surface to reduce evaporation of water.

Mulch

A more sustainable alternative to traditional irrigation that uses less water.

Drip irrigation

The ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to crops.

Soil fertility

Substances like nitrates and phosphates that crops absorb from the soil via their roots.

Nutrients

Fertilizers such as manure that have low solubility in water and release nutrients slowly.

Organic fertilizers

Fertilizers like NPK that release large volumes of nutrients quickly but are highly soluble and can leach into water bodies.

Inorganic fertilizers

Plants that have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers.

Legumes

The process of increasing air spaces in soil to enhance decomposition and nitrification.

Aeration

Fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with crop roots, efficiently absorbing phosphates.

Mycorrhizal fungi

A method of growing crops in a nutrient solution instead of soil.

Hydroponics

The process caused by nutrient leaching into water bodies, leading to deoxygenation and death of aerobic species.

Cultural eutrophication

A method to produce inorganic fertilizers that releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Haber process

A condition that can kill crops due to high soil salinity.

Osmotic dehydration

A measure that affects nutrient solubility and must be monitored and adjusted for optimal crop growth.

Soil pH

The level of carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis, controlled in enclosed spaces like greenhouses.

CO2 concentration

The speed of wind that can increase soil erosion and evapotranspiration.

Wind velocity

Rows of trees or hedgerows planted to block prevailing winds and reduce erosion.

Shelterbelts

A method of ploughing that reduces the gradient of slopes to minimize soil erosion.

Contour ploughing