Final Flashcards
(53 cards)
What regions were affected by the Dust Bowl?
Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico
The Dust Bowl occurred during the 1930s due to drought and poor farming practices.
What is selective breeding?
Choosing plants with desirable traits to produce offspring with the same traits through crossbreeding
This process takes many generations to achieve consistent results.
What parts of the plant are important for agriculture?
- Seeds for yield and disease resistance
- Fruits for taste, size, and shelf life
- Leaves for nutritional content and pest resistance
- Roots for growth rate and nutrient uptake
What percentage of freshwater withdrawals is used for agriculture?
70%
This highlights the significant water demand of agricultural practices.
What are the soil horizons?
- O horizon: humus – leaves or crop residues
- A horizon: mixture of organic matter and minerals
- B horizon: subsoil rich in clay
- C horizon: lowest layer, bedrock broken up
What are the impacts of agriculture on biodiversity?
Habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and impacts from herbicides and pesticides on non-target species
This includes effects on soil and its microorganisms.
What is the energy transfer efficiency at different trophic levels?
- Primary producers: 100%
- Primary consumers: 10%
- Secondary consumers: 1%
- Tertiary consumers: 0.1%
What are good farming practices?
- Keep soil covered
- Minimize soil disturbance
- Maintain year-round plant growth
- Diversify crops
- Use contour farming or terracing
- Implement rotational grazing
- Practice composting and mulching
- Employ crop rotation and diverse planting
- Reduce tillage
Fill in the blank: The top feed efficiency is found in _______.
chicken
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A holistic and sustainable approach to pest management that includes prevention, monitoring, and control
Control methods can be chemical, biological, or cultural.
What are the ecosystem services provided by forests?
- Flood prevention
- Carbon storage
- Recreation
- Wood/paper products
- Air and water quality
Who was Chico Mendes?
A rubber tapper in Brazil who advocated for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and rights of rubber tappers and indigenous communities
He was ultimately assassinated.
What are the main drivers of deforestation?
- Agriculture
- Logging
- Infrastructure development
- Mining
What is the #1 driver of deforestation in Brazil?
Cattle ranching
The beef produced is primarily exported to China, the US, and the EU.
What are neonicotinoids?
Synthetic analogues of the natural insecticide nicotine used as broad-spectrum systemic pesticides
They are responsible for significant impacts on pollinator populations.
What are the primary energy sources globally?
Oil
In the US, petroleum is the primary source.
What is the impact of mountain top removal mining?
Destruction of mountains, habitat loss, water pollution, and burial of streams
This occurs primarily in the Appalachian region.
What are the pros and cons of nuclear power?
Pros: Clean energy, high energy density, reliability, jobs, national security
Cons: Accidents, radioactive waste, high costs, public perception issues
What is the Urban Heat Island Effect?
Cities are warmer and less humid due to less vegetation and impervious surfaces
This affects absorption of solar energy, heat loss rates, and air movement.
What is Urban Sprawl?
Widespread growth of land included in a metropolitan area
Causes include government policy, economic growth, and poor planning.
What is the primary use of wood in the United States?
Construction
Globally, the highest use of wood is for fuel.
What are the disadvantages of solar energy?
Intermittent availability, regional limitations, and distribution challenges
Fill in the blank: The highest use of biomass is in _______.
producing heat, electricity, or biofuels
What are the challenges with renewables?
- Intermittent supply
- Infrastructure needs
- Limited consumer knowledge
- New technology requirements
