Effects of Agriculture on the Environment Essay - 2082 Words

Effects of Agriculture on the Environment Introduction: Agriculture has changed dramatically, especially since the end of World War II. Food and fibre productivity rose due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies that favoured maximizing production. These changes allowed fewer farmers with reduced labour demands to produce the majority of the food and fibre. Humans, like all other species, exploit their surroundings for the resources they need to survive. Our current exploitation of the world, however, is greater than those of most species. There are many reasons for this exploitation but we will focus on one and that is our technology, which is used for various†¦show more content†¦It takes up to three hundred years for one inch of agricultural topsoil to form so soil that is lost is essentially irreplaceable. The consequences for long-term crop yields have not been sufficiently measured. The amount of erosion varies from one field to another. This depends on the type of soil, the slope of the field, the drainage patterns and the crop management practices. The effects of the erosion vary also. The areas that are better able to sustain erosion without loss of productivity are areas with deep organic loams. This is more sustainable than the areas where topsoil’s are shallower. Erosion removes the surface soils, containing most of the organic matter, plant nutrients, and fine soil particles, which help to retain water and nutrients in the root zone where they are available to plants. Thus it affects the productivity of plants. The remaining, the subsoil, tends to be less fertile, less absorbent and less able to retain pesticides, fertilizers, and other plant nutrients. There are over 17,000 soil types recognized worldwide. They vary widely in structure, erodibility, fertility, and ability to produce crops. A generalized soil profile for a humid, temperate climate is showed. When the natural vegetation is cleared for agriculture, soils become exposed to erosion and loss of soil fertility. The removal of the above-ground naturalShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Agriculture On The Environment1561 Words   |  7 PagesWhile agriculture is pivotal to human survival, it has some very detrimental effects on the environment. Agricultural production is first and fore most an industry that directly depends on natural resources such as water, land and a multitude of plants and animals. The exponentially growing human population and ever changing consumption patterns have stimulated the evolution of agriculture from the traditional to a now modern, intensive system. (Natural Resources Management and Environment DepartmentRead MoreThe Effects Of Animal Agriculture On The Environment Essay941 Words   |  4 Pagesconsider the effects of animal agriculture on the environment. This essay will argue that animal agriculture is harmful to the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, water- and land use, and that policies in the form of subsidizing plant foods, altering the Canada Food Guide, and creating plant based nutrition coaching and support groups should be enacted to solve these problems. The first section of this paper will outline scholarly literature on the effects of animal agriculture on the environmentRead MoreEffect of Agriculture on Our Environment2102 Words   |  9 PagesEffects of Agriculture on the Environment Introduction: Agriculture has changed dramatically, especially since the end of World War II. Food and fibre productivity rose due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies that favoured maximizing production. These changes allowed fewer farmers with reduced labour demands to produce the majority of the food and fibre. Humans, like all other species, exploit their surroundings for the resources theyRead MoreThe Effects Of Animal Agriculture On Our Environment Essay1040 Words   |  5 PagesAnimal Agriculture accounts for much of the issues in our environment today. Most would not think of animal agriculture being the main reason for pollution or greenhouse gasses. The majority of people would agree that the fossil fuels that come from cars are the number one producer for greenhouse gasses. Well think again. I am going to tell you how animal agriculture has affected our atmosphere in a negative way by emitting a large amount of GHGs, and in turn effecting our climate and speeding upRead MoreIntroduction . Many Factors Contribute To The Downfall1694 Words   |  7 Pagesdeclining because of the large demands of food and biofuels (Laurance, et al. 2014). Agriculture is best known as a techniques used for farming, breeding and raising livestock. As the advancement of agriculture rise, the ability fo r the ecosystem to maintain has declined. Over the years the rate of the advancement of agriculture has been in overdrive compared to the conditions of the ecosystem after the effects of agriculture advancement leading to a decrease in many species globally as well as a drop inRead MoreEssay about Organic Agriculture991 Words   |  4 PagesThe origins of organic agriculture can be traced back to northern Europe in the 1920’s, however it was not until recently that the movement gained attention and the debate between organic verses conventional agriculture began. The organic movement started because of increasing concern about the environment and food quality which are still the two main topics of the debate today. Unfortunately, in terms of food quality, it is difficult to prove that organic products are healthier than conventionallyRead MoreEmissions Trading Scheme Essay1538 Words   |  7 PagesThe New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) is about the environment protect and punishing pollution. ETS is except the agriculture, but agriculture is occupy the half emissions. The article discusses the agriculture should into the ETS and the reason for agriculture. Then, the influence and connect on technology. The suggestion for the environment change in the agriculture emissions. ETS The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) is the government’s policy response about the climateRead MoreSustainable Agriculture Is Important Industry All Over The Globe Essay782 Words   |  4 Pagesgoes into something like a simple sandwich. On a larger scale, agriculture is an important industry all over the globe. And the effects it has on the environment and consumers are seen everywhere from inefficient water usage, harmful herbicides, soil nutrient depletion, to deforestation and harmful or unregulated produce, which is why sustainable agriculture is so important. It makes senses for us as customers to understand the effects our food industry has, because whether or not you’ve stepped footRead MoreGlobal Warming Is Caused By Human Beings1174 Words   |  5 PagesWarming Global warming appears to be caused by human beings. There is too much CO2 in the atmosphere for plants and trees to take in all of it. There is strong evidence that humans are to blame, not just due to cars and factories but also from agriculture. A majority of scientists and scientific organizations believe humans are causing global warming. Global Warming is controversial. It is a perplexing phenomenon. Some people think it is a normal occurrence, others are afraid of the consequencesRead MoreThe Consequences Of The Globes Meat Consumption1363 Words   |  6 PagesClimate change undoubtedly has a monumental effect on countries across the globe, It is becoming increasingly clear that it is the most important challenge facing international relations today. Agriculture and more specifically animal agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to human made climate change. This is important for international relations because animal agriculture effects trade, global food security and the global economy. With the population growing at a rapid pace the demand