1. Agricultural Resources & Limitation
Geography 20F
Unit 3: Food From The Land

2. ARABLE LAND
The area of land that is suitable for agricultural use across the globe including fertile soils, pastures & forests.
* Land that can be cultivated

3. What percentage of the surface area of the globe do you think contains arable land?
It is….. 3%

4. What percentage of the surface area of the globe is covered by water?
It is…..
70%

5. What percentage of the globe is covered by mountains?
It is…..
17%

6. What percentage of the globe do you think is covered by deserts?
It is…..
10%

7. Why is this a concern? We need food from the land!
As cities grow (urbanization) land for farming is limited.
Population increase puts more demand on the land.
Less fresh food (food in general).
Climate change will cause agricultural areas to change.

8. FAMINE
A temporary situation in which a country or region does not have enough available food to feed its population.

9. STARVATION
An extreme form of hunger in which people suffer from a serious, or total, lack of energy and essential vitamins and minerals.
The body wastes away as tissue is consumed to provide protein and energy.

10. MALNUTRITION
A condition in which health is damaged by an unbalanced diet that includes either too much or too little of one or more essential nutrients over an extended period.

11. Resources & Limitations

12. Natural Systems
Agriculture depends on the interaction of a number of natural systems:
Climate – amount of solar energy (heat) and moisture
Soil – how fertile the soil is depends on how much humus is present. This is effected by moisture.
Topography – level land is generally best for farming
Biology – some organisms are highly beneficial to farming.
Example, earthworms, bees. Other are very harmful.
Example, weeds, BSE, grasshoppers

13. Perfect Farming Conditions
There are very few areas that have the perfect combination for farming:
long growing season
the right amount of moisture
rich soils
level land
right biological conditions

14. Correcting Deficiencies
For thousands of years people have worked to overcome the land they farm.
Some Examples
Irrigation
Pesticides
Fertilizer
Larger Equipment
New seed varieties

15. Different Types of Agriculture
Farming can be described as subsistence or cash cropping
Subsistence farmers – grow crops and raise livestock to meet the immediate needs of their families. They produce many different products, often on small farms
Cash-crop Farmers – the produce is sold in local and world markets. They specialize in producing only a few products on a large farm. They may not use any of the products they grow or raise,

16. Different Types of Agriculture
Farming can also be described as either intensive or extensive
Intensive farming – farming a small amount of land with the use of large amounts of labour and capital ($$).
Example – fruit and vegetable growing, vineyards, hog factory farms
Extensive farming – large amounts of land with limited amounts of labour and capital.
Examples – grain, ranches

17. Bill Nye: Farming