Term | Definition |
Food Security | 1/6 people in developing countries facing food insecurity in form of malnutrition and chronic hunger. |
Macronutrients | Protein, carbs, fats (lipids) |
Micronutrients | Vitamins/minerals |
Food Production Systems | 1. Croplands
2. Rangeland/Pastures
3. Ocean fisheries |
Croplands | Responsible for 77% of worlds food (grains, wheat, rice corn)- feeds 2/3 of world's population. Responsible for 47% of all calories- measure of energy value of food in terms of heat output |
Rangeland/pastures | Meat production- 16% of world's food production |
Ocean fisheries | 7% of world's food production.
Aquaculture- fresh water pond production of fish (catfish, tilapia, freshwater shrimp) |
Topsoil | 6-8 inches- most production (renewable natural resource, but very slow 10-100 years) wind/water erosion- soil runoff- natural/human activities, vegetation removal, strip mining
Effects: loss of soil fertility, increased water pollution |
Irrigation | Importing fresh water to grow crops. 20% of cropland production (1/5) in world is irrigate- produces 45% of world's food
Problem: salinization-build up of thin layers of salt; stunted crop growth, low crop yields, kills plants |
Reduce Soil Erosion | 1. No-till Cultivation- seeds injected underground (hi-tech)
2. Terracing- (stair-step)
3. Contour planting- (strip-cropping)
4. Alley Cropping
5. Windbreaks |
Restore Soil Fertility | 1. Use of inorganic fertilizers
2. Use of organic fertilizers (animal manure)
3. Composting small scale |
1950's Green Revolution | Period in time wen we developed a hi-tech agricultural output- inorganic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, irrigation process, increase crop yield, multiple cropping |
GMO | Genetically modified organisms (grains, wheat, corn, rice) increased crop yield, herbicide resistance (round-up ready) increased cancer rate, increase fertility rate- male and female, allergies |
Meat Production | 1. Grazing livestock (grass feed)- natural 50%
2.Industrialized (factory like)- grains, less environmentally and economically sound- must feed=$ & energy consumption & waste pollution |
Pest | Any species that interfere with human welfare by competing with us for
1. Food supplies
2. Destroy buildings/materials (termites)
3. Spread disease (vectors)
4. Destroy ecosystem |
Pesticide Types | 1. Man-made synthetic- (50x greater)
2. Natural pesticides- pansies, marigold, garlic, & rosemary |
Man-Made Synthetic Pesticide Advantages | 1. Saves human lives
2. Increased food supplies
3. Increased farmer profits
4. Work faster
5. Health risks lowered (if properly used)
6. Newer pesticides safer |
Man-Made Synthetic Pesticide Disadvantages | 1. Genetic resistance by pests
2. Financial treadmill
3. Kills natural predators (bats, birds)
4. Can pollute environment
5. Can kill wildlife
6. Endangered/threatened species
7. Human health- children (organ shortage- liver) |
Pest Control Alternatives (Larger Scale) | 1. Fool pests- rotating crops & planting time
2. Homes for pest enemies (lizards)
3. Genetic resistance for crops
4. Natural Enemies (Parasites, Viruses, bacteria)
5. Use hot scalding water spray
6. Use hormones- disrupt life cycles of pests
7. Pher |