L10 - The effects of climate change on agriculture Flashcards
(17 cards)
how does agriculture contribute to climate change
through emissions of methane, nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from livestock, fertilisers, land use change and machinery
what are the main sources of methane emissions in agriculture
livestock digestion, manure decomposition and flooded rice paddies
what causes nitrous oxide emissions in agriculture
excess N from fertilisers and manure converting to N2O through soil microbial processes
how does land use change release CO2?
deforestation and tiling release stored C in soil and vegetation
what are 2 strategies to reduce CO2 emissions from land use
reforestation and reduced tillage farming
how can methane emissions from livestock be reduced
by adding seaweed to diets or using breeding strategies for low emission cattle
are these livestock methane strategies scalable
yes but challenges include cost, feed supply and farmer adoption
how do N fertilisers lead to N2O emissions
microbial action in soils converts excess N into N2O, especially with overuse
what can reduce fertiliser related N2O emissions
enzyme or nitrification inhibitors, and precision fertiliser application
what is climate smart agriculture
an integrated approach to manage crops, livestock and land to both adapt to and mitigate climate change
give 2 climate smart agriculture practices and their benefits
- no till farming - reduce soil erosion
- drip irrigation - improves water efficiency
why might crop yields increase in northern latitudes due to climate change
longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures improving conditions for crop growth
how does climate change affect crop yields negatively
heat stress
drought
floods
shortened growing seasons
how are pests and diseases affected by climate change
warmer temperatures allow pests to expand into new regions and reproduce faster
what social group is most affected by climate change
vulnerable populations like
- low income households
- indigenous groups
- people living in developing countries
how can consumer behaviour reduce agricultural emissions
by reducing meat consumption and minimising food waste
who sets temperature and emissions targets
International bodies like the UNFCCC, under agreements such as the Paris Agreement, with input from IPCC scientific reports.
