Quiz Flashcards
1/16/24
Most of the water in California is used in the
Central Valley Region
Which of the following statements is true?
to achieve a net storage of carbon, we need to collect and store carbon in the soil slower that it decomposes
all the answers listed are true
to achieve a net storage of carbon, we need to collect and store carbon in the soil faster than it decomposes
planting cover crops are in the fall and cutting them down in the spring is an ineffective way to increase the carbon levels in the soil
to achieve a net storage of carbon, we need to collect and store carbon in the soil faster than it decomposes
what is the importance of having operational aqueducts in California?
to transport water from areas where it is abundant to areas where it is not abundant
what is carbon sequestration
the capture and long term storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
why do farmers in California have little incentive to upgrade their irrigation technology
the cost of water is subsidized by the government
Carbon sequestration
-capture and storage of CO2 from the atmosphere
-Use of plants to pull out more CO2 and depositing into the soil
-Converting CO2 into products people need
Strats for Carbon Sequestration
1) manage farms - plant cover crops
2) restore forests - plant trees
3) leave unconsumed plants/crops in soil
4) add manure to expedite growth of crops
-to achieve net storage of carbon, we need to store carbon in the soil faster than it decomposes
Lower CO2 in the atmosphere
further investment in technology
ex: passing air through a filter, convert the carbon to liquid, pump it into the ground
Use of carbon in industry/manufacturing
ex: create building materials, fuels, and plastics made with carbon
California importance
-resources
-agricultural industry
a) $50 billion
b) comprises 40% of all fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States
why was california such a great place for agriculture
-fertile soils
-climate
a) atmospheric circulations
b) ocean circulations
c) rain shadow effects
What’s the problem for cali?
-most growing regions in cali lack the volume of water needed to sustain agriculture
-increased competition from human population which is close to 40 million people
-wildlife needs
-drought and wild fires
-political strife
factors leading to the water wars
-central valley project
-unequal water prices across the state for farmers - leads to new contracts and lower prices, but could not cover electric costs to transport water
-over pumping of groundwater - drought
higher prices responses
-farmers charge more for their crop yields
-farmers could sell their farms
-search for more effective irrigation methods
-grow less water intensive crops
acqueducts
pipes and canals that move water from where it is abundant to areas where it is scarce
