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MonthDayLectureActivityChap. Nov.21Ecosystems IIServices56 26Global C cycle56 Dec.3Thinking ecologically I 5Thinking ecologically II Eco. literacy 10Exam.

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Presentation on theme: "MonthDayLectureActivityChap. Nov.21Ecosystems IIServices56 26Global C cycle56 Dec.3Thinking ecologically I 5Thinking ecologically II Eco. literacy 10Exam."— Presentation transcript:

1 MonthDayLectureActivityChap. Nov.21Ecosystems IIServices56 26Global C cycle56 Dec.3Thinking ecologically I 5Thinking ecologically II Eco. literacy 10Exam review 19Final examHere at 12:20 am

2 Picture of rice farmer in SE Asia

3 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.

4 Picture of combine harvesting wheat

5

6 Factors driving increased food production New cultivars (breeds) of crops

7 Factors driving increased food production New cultivars (breeds) of crops Good cropland made better –Irrigation –Fertilizers –Pesticides –Mechanization

8 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

9 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

10 Energy use in US corn production 1000 10,000 170019901950 Year Energy input (x 1000 Kcal/ha)

11 Food versus fuel Food energy Fuel energy Bulk production12 Edible production13 Shipping13 Processing13 Preparing12

12 Modern agriculture is subsidized by fossil fuels 1 unit food energy = 12 units fuel energy

13 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?

14 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

15 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

16 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

17 Problems of modern agriculture Practice Problem addressed Problem created PesticidesCrop lossnew pests resistant pests water and soil pollution human poisoning energy dependency

18 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

19 Picture of soil erosion in Georgia

20 Solutions... Erosion from mechanical tillage –No till or low till systems –Perennial crops –Field layouts –Controlled irrigation

21 Picture of contour planting in WA state

22 Solutions... Fertilizer pollution of water and atmosphere –Keep litter on the fields –Increased use of organic fertilizers –Type and timing of fertilizer application

23 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

24 Solutions... Loss of genetic diversity –“Seed saving” –Crop diversification –Consumer demand

25 Solutions... Fossil fuel dependency –Buy local –Buy less processed foods –Eat lower on the food chain –Buy organic (?)


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