Environmental Science and Sustainability Notes

Environmental Science and Sustainability Notes

American Desert Historical Perspectives

• Great Plains: Once considered the "American Desert", unsuitable for European farming.
• Steel Plow (1837): Invention by John Deere that revolutionized farming by making it easier to till the tough soil.

Rain Follows the Plow (1860s-1880s)

• Myth: Belief that farming led to increased rainfall due to a period of wet weather.
• Implications: Prairie grasslands replaced by domesticated crops, leading to temporary agricultural success.

Dust Bowl (1930s)

• Causes: Stock market crash led to overplanting, followed by severe drought.
• Consequences: Loss of 1/3 of topsoil, mass migration, and significant farming crisis.

Green Revolution: Major Changes in Agriculture

1. Rise of monocultures and genetically modified crops.
2. Increased use of irrigation and chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides).
3. Multiple crop rotations adopted on the same plots.
4. Intensified energy use in agriculture.

Types of Agriculture

• Industrialized Agriculture: High-yield monocultures supported by heavy inputs (financial, labor, machinery).
• Traditional Agriculture: Low-input systems focused on subsistence or limited commercial production.

Types of Crops

• Cash Crops: Grown for sale (e.g., corn, soybeans).
• Subsistence Crops: Grown for the farmer's family consumption (e.g., rice, wheat).

Total Factor Productivity (TFP)

• Definition: Increase in agricultural output without proportional increase in inputs.

Soil Formation and Degradation

• Soil Formation: Takes 100-1000 years to create 1 cm of fertile soil.
• Soil Degradation: Threatens food security and arises from factors like erosion, overgrazing, and industrialization.

Desertification and Salinization

• Desertification: Permanent loss of productivity; results from overuse leading to water retention issues.
• Salinization: Occurs through over-irrigation, leading to salt buildup that hampers vegetation.

Soil Erosion Types

1. Splash Erosion: Initial stage, small soil particles displaced by raindrops.
2. Sheet Erosion: Thin layers of soil washed away by water flow.
3. Rill and Gully Erosion: More severe forms, leading to visible channels.

Agricultural Pollution

• Eutrophication: Excessive nutrient runoff leading to algal blooms and fish kills.
• Riparian Zones: Require protection to manage sediment and nutrient flow to waterways.

Biodiversity in Agriculture

• Importance of Seeds: High-quality seeds are crucial for good yields.
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Crossbreeding and artificial selection methods have greatly increased the prevalence of GMOs in agriculture.

Soils and Nutrients

• Essential Nutrients: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are vital for plant growth; their depletion requires replenishment through fertilizers.
• Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles: Critical for sustaining agricultural productivity but subject to human impacts.

Pest Control Methods

1. Ecological/Biological Controls: Use of natural predators and parasites to manage pest populations.
2. Chemical Controls: Usage of synthetic pesticides, their benefits, and disadvantages like pest resistance.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Combines biological control and minimal chemical usage while maintaining ecological balance.

Organic Farming Standards

• No synthetic chemicals or GMOs; must align with animal welfare standards and undergo certification.

Kentucky Agricultural Overview

• Majority family-operated farms; diverse crop production, strong emphasis on local resources and agricultural contributions.

Natural Capital Degradation

• Consequences of agriculture on biodiversity, soil and water quality, including impacts like pollution, deforestation, and water waste.