Question 1

Which places are the major reservoirs of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon in the biosphere?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen=atmosphere
Phosphorus=rocks
Carbon=ocean

Question 2

Farmers often need to add nitrogen and phosphorus to their crops. Why don't farmers need to add carbon to their crops?

Accepted Answer

Plants get carbon from the atmosphere

Question 3

What are some common human actions that disrupt the normal functioning of the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

Removing nitrogen from topsoil when harvesting crops, Adding excess nitrates to bodies of water through agricultural runoff

Question 4

In which soil horizon is the majority of decomposed organic matter concentrated?

Accepted Answer

A Horizon

Question 5

A certified organic farmer has a problem with aphids on his bean plants. What are some pest-management methods that an organic farmer can use?

Accepted Answer

Releasing lady bugs into the field, Spraying the plants with oil from chrysanthemum or other natural aphid deterrent

Question 6

What main consequence could result from monoculture farming with intensive irrigation in dry climates?

Accepted Answer

Increased salinization of soil = main consequence 
Erosion can also increase

Question 7

What are 3 disadvantages of using genetically modified organisms to produce large quantities of corn especially for fuel?

Accepted Answer

They can harm beneficial insects, lower crop biodiversity, increase pesticide-resistant insects, and increase herbicide-resistant weeds

Question 8

Whole Foods Market wants to buy large quantities of organic produce but must pay higher prices. Why is organic farming more expensive when compared to industrial agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Typically because organic farms are more labor intensive

Question 9

Feedlot owners prefer to purchase grain from a high-yield monoculture farm. Which agricultural practices would you expect to find in use on a monoculture farm?

Accepted Answer

Spraying of synthetic pesticide, Tilling soil, Concentrated animal feeding, GMOs sometimes

Question 10

When the price of beef rises, some farmers switch from growing crops to raising livestock on rangelands. What are two major effects of overgrazing livestock on rangelands?

Accepted Answer

Erosion and desertification

Question 11

A farmer decides to plant as legume as a cover crop after harvesting the wheat crop. What is the most likely reason for this decision  (think about the nutrient cycles)

Accepted Answer

To fix nitrogen in the soil

Question 12

Name an advantage to genetic diversity in crops

Accepted Answer

Crossing a crop plant with an ancestral variety can increase resistance to pests and diseases

Question 13

What is an advantage of using large-scale concentrated cattle feedlots as compared o free-range or rotated-range grazing?

Accepted Answer

Primarily reduced erosion

Question 14

If farmers wan their produce to be centrifuged as "organic" they must follow certain guidelines. Name 2 guidelines that must be followed.

Accepted Answer

Use little to no chemical pesticide or fertilizer, Use little to no genetic engineering, feed additives, or growth hormones

Question 15

Agricultural, industrial, and/or domestic overuse of groundwater resources in coastal areas is likely to lead to what negative consequences.

Accepted Answer

saltwater irrigation

Question 16

What is flood irrigation? Why is it not a good method to conserve water?

Accepted Answer

Flood irrigation is essentially delivering water to the crop field through a ditch or pipe and then allowing it to flow freely over the field. It is not a good method of water conservation because you lose a lot to evaporation and runoff.

Question 17

How does agricultural runoff from chemically fertilized fields impact nearby streams and rivers?

Accepted Answer

Nitrates from fertilizers cause algae blooms; algae deplete oxygen levels in the water which hurts and/or kills other aquatic life.

Question	Answer
Which places are the major reservoirs of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon in the biosphere?	Nitrogen=atmosphere Phosphorus=rocks Carbon=ocean
Farmers often need to add nitrogen and phosphorus to their crops. Why don't farmers need to add carbon to their crops?	Plants get carbon from the atmosphere
What are some common human actions that disrupt the normal functioning of the nitrogen cycle?	Removing nitrogen from topsoil when harvesting crops, Adding excess nitrates to bodies of water through agricultural runoff
In which soil horizon is the majority of decomposed organic matter concentrated?	A Horizon
A certified organic farmer has a problem with aphids on his bean plants. What are some pest-management methods that an organic farmer can use?	Releasing lady bugs into the field, Spraying the plants with oil from chrysanthemum or other natural aphid deterrent
What main consequence could result from monoculture farming with intensive irrigation in dry climates?	Increased salinization of soil = main consequence Erosion can also increase
What are 3 disadvantages of using genetically modified organisms to produce large quantities of corn especially for fuel?	They can harm beneficial insects, lower crop biodiversity, increase pesticide-resistant insects, and increase herbicide-resistant weeds
Whole Foods Market wants to buy large quantities of organic produce but must pay higher prices. Why is organic farming more expensive when compared to industrial agriculture?	Typically because organic farms are more labor intensive
Feedlot owners prefer to purchase grain from a high-yield monoculture farm. Which agricultural practices would you expect to find in use on a monoculture farm?	Spraying of synthetic pesticide, Tilling soil, Concentrated animal feeding, GMOs sometimes
When the price of beef rises, some farmers switch from growing crops to raising livestock on rangelands. What are two major effects of overgrazing livestock on rangelands?	Erosion and desertification
A farmer decides to plant as legume as a cover crop after harvesting the wheat crop. What is the most likely reason for this decision (think about the nutrient cycles)	To fix nitrogen in the soil
Name an advantage to genetic diversity in crops	Crossing a crop plant with an ancestral variety can increase resistance to pests and diseases
What is an advantage of using large-scale concentrated cattle feedlots as compared o free-range or rotated-range grazing?	Primarily reduced erosion
If farmers wan their produce to be centrifuged as "organic" they must follow certain guidelines. Name 2 guidelines that must be followed.	Use little to no chemical pesticide or fertilizer, Use little to no genetic engineering, feed additives, or growth hormones
Agricultural, industrial, and/or domestic overuse of groundwater resources in coastal areas is likely to lead to what negative consequences.	saltwater irrigation
What is flood irrigation? Why is it not a good method to conserve water?	Flood irrigation is essentially delivering water to the crop field through a ditch or pipe and then allowing it to flow freely over the field. It is not a good method of water conservation because you lose a lot to evaporation and runoff.
How does agricultural runoff from chemically fertilized fields impact nearby streams and rivers?	Nitrates from fertilizers cause algae blooms; algae deplete oxygen levels in the water which hurts and/or kills other aquatic life.

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