What is it? -The farms that uses pesticides & non organic fertilizers -Grows only one kind of crop (monoculture)
Problems: -Wind erosion -Water erosion -Water Contamination -Monoculture
Solutions: -Add wind breaks to lessen wind erosion -Improve drainage in the field -Use contour ploughing -Use of cover crops -Use of natural predators
Affects on the Lithosphere: No diversity => Loss of nutrients Use of pesticides infiltrates & poisons land => loss of more nutrients Deforestation
Affects on the Atmosphere: -Pesticides may be lost in atmosphere through evaporation
Affects on the Hydrosphere: -Disrupts the hydrological cycle -Pesticides contaminate local water sources & ground water
Affects on Biosphere: -Kills animals that eat plants sprayed w/pesticide
Poorly Managed Brazil millions of trees cut for farming & agriculture Farms built on soil with few nutrients => Soil deteriorates quickly
Organic Agriculture Composting & Mulching Composting & Mulching Promoting local / wild flora and fauna Promoting local / wild flora and fauna Influence of natural fertilizer Influence of natural fertilizer no pesticide use (biocides or natural predators no pesticide use (biocides or natural predators
Lithosphere Organic fertilizer use increases the fertility of soil and humus Organic fertilizer use increases the fertility of soil and humus Crop rotation decreases soil erosion Crop rotation decreases soil erosion – maintaining soil structure No pesticide use means increase soil nutrients No pesticide use means increase soil nutrients Impact
Hydrosphere Improved irrigation practices maintain water quantity Improved irrigation practices maintain water quantity No pesticides create less contamination of groundwater No pesticides create less contamination of groundwater
Atmosphere No pesticides spray drift leave air clean No pesticides spray drift leave air clean
Biosphere No pesticides use on crops = Less illness of human and animals No pesticides use on crops = Less illness of human and animals Healthier food is consumed Healthier food is consumed
Solutions Restoration of farm lands to their natural order – –sustain natural livestock – –replanting natural plants – –crop rotation Hydroponics – –crop production that occurs inside large greenhouses