π Topic Summary
Agricultural practices are essential for food production, but they significantly impact the environment. Tilling, the process of preparing land for planting, can lead to soil erosion and carbon release. Fertilizers, used to enhance plant growth, can cause nutrient runoff and water pollution. Pesticides, designed to control pests, can harm non-target species and disrupt ecosystems. Understanding the environmental consequences of these practices is crucial for developing sustainable agricultural solutions. Balancing food production with environmental protection is a key challenge in modern agriculture. π±
π§ͺ Part A: Vocabulary
Match the following terms with their definitions:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Tilling |
A. Substances used to kill pests. |
| 2. Fertilizer |
B. The process of preparing land for planting. |
| 3. Pesticide |
C. The accumulation of pesticides in organisms at higher trophic levels. |
| 4. Eutrophication |
D. Substances used to promote plant growth. |
| 5. Biomagnification |
E. Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen. |
π Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph with the correct words:
Excessive use of __________ can lead to __________ in nearby water bodies. This process results in algal blooms, which deplete __________ and harm aquatic life. __________ is a farming practice that can increase soil erosion. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) seeks to reduce reliance on broad-spectrum __________.
(Options: pesticides, oxygen, tilling, eutrophication, fertilizers)
π Part C: Critical Thinking
Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of using genetically modified (GM) crops in agriculture. How might GM crops affect the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and what are the potential environmental consequences? Consider both positive and negative aspects. π‘