Case Study: Bees to the Rescue

Pollinators' Role

• Essential for pollinating flowering crops

• More than 150 crops depend on pollinators

Decline of Pollinators

• Loss of habitat and diverse flowering plants

• Replacement with single-crop fields contributes to decline

Farmer Innovations

• Lakhy Sran’s almond orchard incorporates wildflowers and clover

• Aim to provide habitats and food for pollinators

Reduced Pesticide Use

• Adoption of integrated pest management approaches

Resources & Services

Agriculture's Role

• Fulfills basic daily needs: food, clothing (cotton)

• Major environmental impacts necessitate sustainable practices

Natural Resources & Land Use

Definition of Agriculture

• Raising crops and livestock for human consumption

Land Types

• Cropland: land for food and fiber production

• Rangeland/Pastureland: land for grazing livestock

Resource Requirements

• Inputs: soil, sunlight, water, nutrients, pollinators

• 38% of Earth's land used for food and fiber production

Industrialization

Characteristics of Traditional Agriculture

• Relied on human and animal muscle power

• Sustenance level food production only

Transition to Industrial Agriculture

• Mechanization and fossil fuel consumption

• Increased irrigation, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides enhanced yields

Monocultures vs. Polyculture

• Industrial agriculture led to monoculture prevalence

• Traditional polyculture included mixed crops

Impact of the Green Revolution

• Introduced technology and crop varieties to developing nations

• Increased yields but degraded soil and water resources

Green Revolution

Definition

• Late 20th century agricultural transformation

• Heavy use of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation increased yields

Key Figures

• Norman Borlaug introduced disease-resistant wheat varieties,

• Tripled wheat production in Mexico, applied practices in India and Pakistan

Sustainable Agriculture

Goals of Sustainable Agriculture

• Maintain healthy soil, clean water, and vibrant pollinator populations

• Emphasizes mimicking natural ecosystems

Knowledge Requirement

• Understanding of soil, water, nutrients, and pollinators

Soil

Definition

• Complex, plant-supporting system

• Composed of disintegrated rock, organic matter, air, water, nutrients, microorganisms

Composition

• Approximately 50% mineral, 5% organic matter, 45% pore space

Role of Soil for Plants

• Provides nutrients, structure for rooting, medium for absorption

Mycorrhizae

• Mutualistic fungi helping plants with water and nutrient absorption

Soil Formation

Process of Soil Formation

• Initiated during primary succession

• Parent material breaks down due to water, air, and organisms

Parent Material Definition

• Base geological material (e.g., hardened lava, sediment)

Weathering Types

• Physical: wind, rain, freeze/thaw cycles

• Chemical: water or gases alter the rock chemically

• Biological: living organisms contribute to soil formation

Importance of Humus

• Partially decomposed organic matter critical for plant life

Influencing Factors for Weathering

• Climate, organisms, topography, parent material, time

Renewal Rate of Soil

• Soil is renewable but at a very slow rate

Soil Horizons Definition

• Distinct layers resulting from movement and sorting of particles

Soil Profile Description

• Cross-section showing depth and composition changes

Leaching Impact

• Minerals can be dissolved and transported downward

Structure of Soil Profile

• O Horizon: organic litter layer

• A Horizon: topsoil, nutrient-rich

• B Horizon: subsoil, accumulates minerals and organic matter

• C Horizon: weathered parent material

• R Horizon: bedrock or parent material

Soil Quality

Color Indicators

• Dark soils signify organic-rich; pale suggests leaching

Soil Structure

• Clumpiness is ideal; compaction inhibits growth

pH Preference

• Intermediate pH levels are best for plant health

Soil Texture

Characteristics of Soils

• Clay: limited pore spaces, sticky, less drainage

• Sandy: quick drainage, may require more irrigation

• Loam: ideal mix of clay, silt, and sand for agriculture

Irrigation

Comparison of Soil Productivity

• Amazon rainforest case shows lower productivity than regions like Iowa

Swidden Agriculture

• Tropical practice of shifting cultivation and slash-and-burn techniques

Definition and Imperative

• Artificial water provision beyond rainfall

• Critical for water-intensive crops and dry climates

• Comprises 70% of freshwater withdrawals

Issues with Water Application

• Waterlogging and salinization concepts explored

• Solutions for salinity issues through flushing or salt-tolerant plants

Irrigation Efficiency

• Typically, just 40% of water used by plants

• Benefits of drip irrigation in reducing waste

Overview of conventional irrigation methods and their effectiveness

Fertilizers

Types of Fertilizers

• Inorganic: synthetic or mined materials

• Organic: derived from biological origins

• Compost: decomposed organic materials

Environmental Impact of Overapplication

• Nutrient runoff can cause broader ecological issues

Definition of Precision Agriculture

• Use of technology for monitoring crop resource needs

Pollination

Pollination Defined

• Fertilization of female flowers by male pollen

• Crucial role of pollinators in agriculture

Crisis in Wild Pollinators

• Factors contributing to the declining populations

• Impact of habitat loss and pesticide use

Threats to Honeybee Populations

• Colony Collapse Disorder overview

• Risks associated with specific pesticides, e.g., neonicotinoids

Strategies for Supporting Pollinator Populations

• Establishing diverse habitats and reducing chemical usage

Monocultures

Dangers of Reduced Crop Diversity

• Over-reliance on a few crops increases vulnerability

Landraces

Importance of preserving local crop varieties for genetic diversity

Seed Banks' Role

Preservation of seeds as insurance against agricultural loss

Conserving Land and Soil

Challenges to Key Agricultural Resources

• Necessity for conservation to prevent further degradation

Land Degradation

Definition and Negative Outcomes

• Highlights issues such as erosion and pollution

Soil Degradation

Causes and Consequences

• Linkages to human activities like deforestation and cropland use

Erosion

Definition and Dynamics of Erosion

• Mechanisms of erosion exacerbated by agricultural practices

Human Contributions to Erosion

• Over-cultivation, overgrazing, and deforestation impacts

Desertification Description

Loss of land productivity risks food security

The Dust Bowl

Historical Context of the Dust Bowl

• Impact of agricultural practices and severe drought

Extent of Topsoil Loss

• Significant erosion in affected areas

Government Response

• Soil Conservation Act led to establishing conservation services

Soil Conservation Strategies

Overview of techniques to prevent soil erosion

Crop Rotation

Benefits of Crop Rotation

• Enhancing soil fertility, pest control, and erosion prevention

Contour Farming

Contour Farming Technique

• Reduces runoff and soil loss on sloped terrain

Terracing

Terracing Methodology

• Efficiently farms hilly lands and retains water

Intercropping

Benefits of Intercropping

• Reduces erosion, pest vulnerability, and enriches soil

Shelterbelts

Role of Shelterbelts

• Provide windbreaks and improve soil conservation

Conservation Tillage

Benefits of Reduced Tilling

• Protects soil and retains moisture for crops

Overgrazing

Effects of Overgrazing

• Soil vulnerability increases under excessive livestock pressure

Positive Feedback Loop

• Erosion exacerbates plant growth challenges

Subsidies

Role of Subsidies in Agriculture

• Financial aid creates dependability but fosters unsustainable farming

Policy

Overview of Farm Bill

• Periodic legislation impacting agricultural practices and funding

Environmental Benefits Index in Farming

• Assessment criteria for farmer contracts aimed at conservation activities.