Lecture Notes: Consequences of Agricultural Practices

Introduction

• Discussed the historical and contemporary impacts of agricultural practices.
• Key focus on agricultural revolutions and their effects on the environment and society.

Historical Agricultural Practices

• First and Second Agricultural Revolutions: Transition to sedentary agriculture, modifying Earth's surface.
• Green Revolution: Introduction of GMOs, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and growth hormones.
  • Led to commercial agriculture focused on food output and profit.
  • Rise of concentrated animal feeding operations.

Current Agricultural Challenges

• Global population over 8 billion requires innovative food production solutions.
• Economic advancements increase demand for meats and luxury foods.
• Environmental pressures from food production include:
  • Climate change.
  • Desertification: Arable land becomes desert-like, e.g., Middle East and Northern Africa.
  • Deforestation: Forests cut down for lumber and agriculture, affecting ecosystems.
  • Soil salinization: Salt buildup in soil kills plant roots.
  • Water runoff and pollution: Depletion of wetlands, increased pollutants in water bodies.

Specific Agricultural Impacts

• Deforestation: Common in less economically developed countries for economic gain.
  • Slash and burn agriculture increases CO2 and destroys ecosystems.
• Irrigation: Moves water to grow crops but depletes freshwater sources and increases pollution.
• Terrace Farming:
  • Found in Southeast Asia; reshapes landscapes to maximize arable land.
  • Can decrease water runoff and increase food production.

Environmental Protection Efforts

• Global initiatives to protect and restore natural environments:
  • Restoring wetlands, replanting trees, and cleaning oceans.
  • Policies to regulate chemical and antibiotic use.
• Shift in consumer demand to sustainable food (free-range, organic, fair-trade).

Conclusion

• Encouragement to practice with questions provided and use the ultimate review packet resource.
• Outro by Mr. Sin, promoting further engagement and study.