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MonthDayLectureActivityChap. Nov.21Ecosystems IIServices56 26Global C cycle56 Dec.3Thinking ecologically I 5Thinking ecologically II Eco. literacy 10Exam review 19Final examHere at 12:20 am
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Picture of rice farmer in SE Asia
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1700 2100 Year 0 600 Millions of people 520 17 acres 5 acres 0.6 acres Arable acres per capita Population versus arable land in the U.S.
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Picture of combine harvesting wheat
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Factors driving increased food production New cultivars (breeds) of crops
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Factors driving increased food production New cultivars (breeds) of crops Good cropland made better –Irrigation –Fertilizers –Pesticides –Mechanization
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Factors driving increased food production New cultivars (breeds) of crops Good cropland made better –Irrigation –Fertilizers (N from fossil fuels) –Pesticides –Mechanization Marginal cropland put into cultivation –Irrigation –Fertilizers –Tillage
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Energy use in agricultural production (in billions of Kcal) WhereTotal energy Energy per hectare Energy per capita Developed Nations 11085.9243.7 North America 5114.8379.6 Developing Nations 2210.532.6
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Energy use in US corn production 1000 10,000 170019901950 Year Energy input (x 1000 Kcal/ha)
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Food versus fuel Food energy Fuel energy Bulk production12 Edible production13 Shipping13 Processing13 Preparing12
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Modern agriculture is subsidized by fossil fuels 1 unit food energy = 12 units fuel energy
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Modern agriculture is subsidized by fossil fuels 1 unit food energy = 12 units fuel energy Think back to the trophic pyramid... Does negative energy transfer efficiency make sense?
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Agricultural carbon cycle does not balance! 1 unit food energy = x g C, so took y g C out of the atmosphere 1 unit fuel energy = x g C, so put z g of C (CO2) into the atmosphere
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Problems of modern agriculture Practice Problem addressed Problem created MechanizationLabor inefficiency erosion negative C balance energy dependency larger farms fewer farmers loss of farm culture
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Problems of modern agriculture Practice Problem addressed Problem created Inorganic N fertilizers Crop yieldwater pollution increased pests greenhouse gas emissions (N 2 O) energy dependency
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Problems of modern agriculture Practice Problem addressed Problem created PesticidesCrop lossnew pests resistant pests water and soil pollution human poisoning energy dependency
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Problems of modern agriculture Practice Problem addressed Problem created Hybrids and genetically narrow crops Crop yieldpest problems loss of local adaptations chemical dependency dependency on external seed source
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Picture of soil erosion in Georgia
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Solutions... Erosion from mechanical tillage –No till or low till systems –Perennial crops –Field layouts –Controlled irrigation
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Picture of contour planting in WA state
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Solutions... Fertilizer pollution of water and atmosphere –Keep litter on the fields –Increased use of organic fertilizers –Type and timing of fertilizer application
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Solutions... Pesticide resistant insects, pollution and human poisoning –Integrated pest management –“Smart” application of pesticides –Changes in consumer expectations –Genetic engineering of “natural” pesticide resistance
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Solutions... Loss of genetic diversity –“Seed saving” –Crop diversification –Consumer demand
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Solutions... Fossil fuel dependency –Buy local –Buy less processed foods –Eat lower on the food chain –Buy organic (?)
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