B6.2.1 Flashcards
What is food security
Ability of human population to access affordable food of sufficient quality or quantity.
What are the factors affecting food security 1
Increasing human population
What are the factors affecting food security 2
Changing diets - as people become more wealthy. They eat a more varied diet. Includes meat, which is more energy intensive than plants.
What are the factors affecting food security 3
New pests and pathogens may evolve
What are the factors affecting food security 4
Climate change - predict that global warming will cause more droughts, and deserts will expand. Increases in atmosphere Co2 will lead to increasing yields of some crops.
What are the factors affecting food security 5
Agricultural costs are also increasing, recent high oil prices -> increased costs of storing and distributing food. These increases are passed on to the consumer, making some foods unaffordable for some people.
How can we increase food production 1
Maximising photosynthesis. Light levels, temperature and water supply in industrial glasshouses.
How can we increase food production 2
Using fertilisers. As a plant grows it removes minerals from soil. Fertilisers help soil to remain fertile.
How can we increase food production 3
Removing competition and pests. This includes herbicides to kill weeds, insecticides and fungicides to destroy disease causing fungi.
What are intensive farming techniques
They aim to produce the maximum food product yield from the minimum area of land.
What are intensive farming technique examples
.Using fertilisers and pesticides to aid plant growth
.Maximising animal growth rates
.Minimising labour inputs by using machinery
What is organic farming
Organic farming - use of natural methods of producing crops and rearing animals, avoids artificial chemical use. Yields are smaller so it’s more expensive.
