Module 41: Consequences of Agricultural Practices

Flashcards covering the key concepts and consequences of agricultural practices as outlined in Module 41.

The negative environmental effect of nonselective insecticides is that they kill __, which is harmful to bees.

all insects

Pesticide application sprayed as aerosols misses its target by up to __%.

95

Human health issues linked to pesticide exposure often affect __ workers the most.

farm

Agricultural runoff can include __ from farms and synthetic fertilizers washed into the environment.

pesticides

Nutrient pollution causes __ blooms that consume dissolved oxygen and create dead zones.

algae

Notable dead zones include Chesapeake Bay and the __ River.

Mississippi

The trade-off of industrial agriculture includes higher yields leading to increased __.

pollution

Deforestation for agriculture can lead to soil degradation and __ erosion.

soil

Soil salinization relates to soil buildup which causes .

infertility

The USDA and UNFAO work on global conservation projects to minimize __ disturbance.

soil

Shifting cultivation involves burning land which leaves a layer of __ for fertility.

ash

Nomadic pastoralism traditionally allowed for minimal environmental __ due to deep understanding of the environment.

impact

The Netherlands has a system of dikes and canals for __ land reclamation.

draining

Wetlands provide habitats for species and their draining weakens those __.

species

Irrigated agriculture relies on __ for farming.

water

The US government launched initiatives for dam construction to hold __ water.

surface

Center pivot irrigation creates circular areas for __ crops.

irrigated

The global agriculture shift has changed local __.

cuisines

Ethanol production from corn in the US has increased by __% in recent years.

600

Brazil's sugarcane ethanol yields __ times more ethanol compared to corn.

two

The mechanization of agriculture has decreased women's __ in farming.

control

Increased drainage of wetlands has contributed to the loss of __ and biodiversity.

habitats

Farm runoff often leads to pesticide residue found in __ ecosystems.

every

Excess nutrients entering groundwater can create __ zones in aquatic systems.

dead

The fast food industry's demand for soybean production has led to __ in Brazil.

deforestation

Farmers use conservation agriculture to create permanent soil __ for future crops.

cover

Nomadic pastoralists are facing reduced __ for grazing due to increased competition.

territory

Draining wetlands is a process that increases areas for agricultural __.

production

The global competitive nature of ethanol production has led to concerns about __ security.

food

Global warming is exacerbated by the reduction in natural __ absorption due to deforestation.

CO2

Soil degradation and overgrazing can lead to land becoming __ for farming.

unusable

Agricultural practices in developing countries are often less __ than in developed countries.

regulated

Recognition of harmful pesticides has led to many being __ in agriculture.

banned

Dams have allowed formerly unproductive areas to be used for __.

farming

Human and economic consequences from toxic algae include higher water treatment __.

costs

Burning down vegetation in shifting cultivation returns __ to the soil.

fertility