ENVR 124 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: High-Protein Diet, Intensive Animal Farming, Sustainable Agriculture

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orangeleopard551

18 Mar 2016

School

SUNY Geneseo

Department

Environmental Studies

Course

ENVR 124

Professor

Robertson David

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Document Summary

Types of food production agricultural systems - tends to develop differently in different economic environments and diverse environment/environmental factors around the world - unique. Subsistence agricultural - producing food for one"s own consumption (for primarily local consumption and not primarily for commerce market sale) - not enterprise export - family consumption dominant in developing world - employs lots of people. Industrialized (commercial) agricultural producing food for market sale also diverse, more recent form of agriculture - dominant in developed world. Definition: large scale specialized production of crops or livestock for market sale capital intensive (not as much labor and land) huge inputs of investment and money technology that has replaced labor. Much higher output of food per unit of land. Much more efficient from economic stand point. Green revolution (1950s) - series of agricultural innovations (technology) that dramatically increased agricultural yields per unit of land (ex. Gmo, pesticides, herbicides, irrigation, technologies/expansions, factory farming, etc. )

Related Questions

Question1.1. Accidental alterationsduring DNA replication that give rise to variations in organismsare __________. (Points : 1)

adaptive traits
mutations
symbioses
random distributions

Question2.2. The largest reservoir ofcarbon in the carbon cycle is comprised of _________. (Points :1)

freshwater systems andoceans
plants and animals
sedimentary rock andfossil fuels
atmosphere

Question3.3. The principle of utility________. (Points : 1)

holds that any naturalresource should be available for use in manufacturing
holds that something isright when it produces the greatest benefit for the greatest numberof people
is not an ethicalstandard
cannot be used toestimate the value of natural resources

Question4.4. The two processes thatdetermine current biodiversity on a global scale are __________.(Points : 1)

allopatric speciation andimmigration
mutation and habitatselection
mutation and globalclimate change
extinction andspeciation

Question5.5. The conservation ethicholds that we should ________. (Points : 1)

exploit natural resourcesfor economic gain regardless of sustainability
be prudent and efficientin the use of natural resources
consider the environmentthe ultimate servant of mankind
maintain the environmentin a pristine, unaltered state

Question6.6. The preservation ethicholds that we should ________. (Points : 1)

be responsible for wisemanagement while using natural resources
protect areas againstdevelopment while allowing public access
harvest naturalresources
maintain the naturalenvironment in a pristine, unaltered state

Question7.7. Trophic levels and foodchains diagram __________. (Points : 1)

logistic curves
energy flow in anecosystem
population density
natural resourcefluctuations

Question8.8. A hypothesis is ________.(Points : 1)

a prediction
an educated guess thatexplains a phenomenon or answers a question
an instrument that isused to examine environmental conditions
the design of anexperiment that can be used for the process of science

Question9.9. A biocentric view of theworld emphasizes ________. (Points : 1)

the role of corporationsin environmental law
the importance ofconsidering environmental impacts on all living things
the importance ofeconomics in environmental decisions
the dual-natured view ofhumans and animals as environmental controls

Question10.10. Malthus was responsiblefor ________. (Points : 1)

the book The PopulationBomb that described the disastrous effects of human populationgrowth
the idea that theincrease in human population would lead to famine and war
the concept that humanpopulation growth would lead to greater industry and prosperitythrough education
instituting fertilizeruse for agriculture

Question11.11. Ecology is ________.(Points : 1)

the study of how to solveenvironmental problems
the study of organismsand their interactions with each other and the environment
a subfield ofenvironmentalism
the study of the E. colifamily of bacteria

Question12.12. The scientific processis based on ________. (Points : 1)

observations thatresearchers keep in a scientific journal
testing hypotheses builton observation, and revising them based on results
intuitive understandingof natural laws and processes
the ancient writings ofHeraclitus

Question13.13. Which of the followingis an abiotic factor? (Points : 1)

Amphibians
Wood
Mammals
Water

Question14.14. In environmentalscience, "carrying capacity" means the ___________. (Points :1)

maximum population sizethat a given environment can sustain
average number of viableoffspring produced within a population
potential number ofspecies in a given area
limitation on the numberof species in an ecosystem

Question15.15. The Cuyahoga River madepeople aware of environmental problems because __________. (Points: 1)

people in manycommunities became sick when using water from the river
the drinking water inelementary schools near the river became contaminated
the river caught onfire
the river stoppedsupporting any plant or animal life

Question16.16. The conversion processwhere nitrogen gas combines with hydrogen to form ammonium ions,which is accomplished through the intense energy of lightening orwhen air in the top layer of soil comes into contact with certainbacteria, is known as ________. (Points : 1)

the carbon cycle
nitrogen fixation
ionic conversation
bacterial ionization

Question17.17. The fresh water wedepend on for survival accounts for approximately __________ of allwater on Earth. (Points : 1)

two-thirds
one-third
10%
3%

Question18.18. A paradigm is ________.(Points : 1)

a group of severalhypotheses that can be tested together
a dominant view inscience
the same as ahypothesis
synonymous with thescientific method

Question19.19. The degree of disorderin a substance, system, or process is called ________. (Points :1)

chaos
entropy
energy
electricity

Question20.20. A population is definedas ___________. (Points : 1)

a group of individuals ofmultiple, interacting species that live in a particular area
a group of similarspecies that inhabit various ecosystems
a group of individuals ofa single species inhabiting a particular area
(crude birth rate +immigration rate) - (crude death rate - emigration rate)

periwinklecoyote319

1.What is an ecological footprint? What is the greatestcontribution that you make to your footprint? How could you reduceit?

2. Are humans a keystone species? Support your answer.

3. Why does community connectedness matter?

4. Why does community change matter?

5. What kind of environmental features favor pioneer species,what kind favor climax/late succession species? What kinds ofadaptations favor pioneer species, and what kinds favor climaxspecies?

5. What do we mean when we say that landscapes are stable?

6. What would a community ecologist be able to learn from the USCensus?

7. What does evolution have to do with community ecology?

8. What role does disturbance play in ecology? Giveexamples.

9. You will be expected to be able to calculate species richnessand determine evenness and species diversity indices.

10. You will be expected to make a connection between carryingcapacity, population growth, and community succession in NewJersey.

11. What are the factors that can or could influence thecarrying capacity of NJ?

12. Rank the following three factors in terms of their impact onhuman carrying capacity: space availability, food availability,money availability.

13. Why are some invasive species more successful (i.e. havegreater fitness) in their introduced environment compared to theirnative environment?

14. What is global change about and how do our actions affectit? How is NJ going to be affected by global change?

15. Why, if it is summer in the southern hemisphere and winterin the northern hemisphere, do we see an overall increase in globalCO2 concentrations?

16. What is a dead zone and how is it created? What humanactivity (ies) help create a dead zone?

17. How would a fire that burns most of a forest affect theenergy, water, nutrient, and carbon cycles?

18. What are ecosystem services? Give an example of two.

19. Show how the energy and carbon cycles are inter-related.Explain what is happening in your diagram.

20. You need to be able to explain why nitrogen is important andwhy too much nitrogen is bad.

21. Which gas is more important for global warming:CO₂ or methane? Why?

22. What are the major carbon sinks and sources on earth?

23. What evidence do we have that CO2 concentration of theatmosphere has increased in the last 200 years and what evidence dowe have that that increase is due to human activity?

24. What is happening to our oceans in response to the increasein CO2 in the atmosphere. Be complete, there is more than one partto this answer.

25. How do we know that global warming is and will have animpact on populations, communities, and ecosystems?

26. Given what we know about Japanese knotweed, global change,and human activity, explain the interactions and consequences ofJapanese knotweed invasion on our water supply. You need toinclude, the physiology of the plant, the population ecology of theplant, the water cycle (ecosystems), and global change.

27. Regional climate change models predict that this area willget warmer and receive more rainfall. They also predict thatagriculture (i.e. growing plants) will suffer. Explain why. Becomplete in your answer. There are several factors at workhere.

28. Why are sea-levels increasing globally? Give a detailedanswer. What are some likely consequences going to be (other thanlosing land).

greywasp586

Please read the article below and answer the following question, use economic analysis to answer the question. In your answer, ensure that you use relevant economic theories, concepts, and/or diagrams.

d) What can we as private individuals do to address these concerns in the absence of government intervention? Are such private solutions likely to be effective?

The Australian dairy farming industry is in a state of crisis. Cheap dairy products and fluctuations in both the domestic and global markets have taken a financial toll on farmers. Consumers have rallied to help struggling dairy producers. But this is only half the problem. The true cost of dairy is also paid by dairy cows and the environment.

Welfare problems:

Despite the idyllic image of outdoor farming, several industry practices negatively affect dairy cows. To meet production demands, dairy cows are subject to a continuous cycle of impregnation, induced calving, and milking. Tail-docking and horn removal are routinely performed without pain relief. Lameness is another major animal welfare problem, often the result of environmental pressures, such as tracks, herd size, and handling. The average lifespan of a dairy cow is six to seven years, whereas generally, cows can live for 20 to 25 years. One of the most controversial issues is young bobby calves. A bobby calf is a newborn calf, less than 30 days old, who has been purposely separated from its mother. Immediately after separation, the cow and calf call out and search for each other. Most bobby calves are slaughtered within the first week of their life. Handling and transport pose added problems for young calves who have not developed herding behaviors, are vulnerable to stress, and are forced to go without their mother's milk. Each year, 450,000 bobby calves are slaughtered. Dairy farmers are being milked dry, but let's remember the real cost of milk May 25, 2016, 6.11 am AEST The dairy industry faces a number of welfare and environmental issues. Cow image from www.shutterstock.com Advocacy groups frequently uncover the routine abuse of bobby calves in Australian abattoirs and challenge the dairy industry to do something about it. Yet aside from the wider ethical questions over the use and exploitation of animals, farmers are not legally doing anything wrong. This is because the treatment of animals operates in a legal context where animals are considered absolute property. What's more, farm animals are exempt from the provisions of anti-cruelty legislation. Codes of practice are practically useless because they promote low welfare standards and are unenforceable.

The environmental impact:

As well as systematic welfare problems, livestock farming is, both directly and indirectly, one of the most ecologically harmful human activities. The Australian livestock sector is worth A$17 billion and dairy cattle farming is a A$4.2 billion industry. In Australia, livestock farming accounts for 10% to 16% of greenhouse gas emissions, with dairy farms contributing 19% of this or 3% of total emissions. Methane emissions, from digestion and manure, and nitrous oxide from livestock are significant contributors. Globally, the livestock sector is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the world's transport. Livestock production accounts for 70% of all agricultural land, including the land used to grow crops to feed these animals. Animal agriculture is a key factor in land degradation, deforestation, water stress, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Livestock farming will also be affected by climate change, particularly changes in temperature and water. The quantity and quality of pasture and forage crops will also be affected. Diseases may increase due to fluctuating weather and climate.

Emissions can be reduced:

Just as the energy sector is attempting to transition to low-carbon energy sources to tackle climate change, the agricultural sector needs to transition to an ethical and sustainable alternative. From the current crisis, there are several opportunities for farmers to seize. Large transitions are possible in land use, production, output, and profitability. Places such as Gippsland in Victoria, which currently produces 19% of Australia's dairy, have the opportunity for agricultural development based on apples and brassicas, such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, and mustard. Some of these crops are already popular in the region. As a result of climate change and increasing temperatures, some areas will be more suitable than others. While still in the stages of research, perennial grain crops that store more carbon, maintain better soil and water quality, and manage nutrients better than annuals have the potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture. New land uses could also include carbon plantings, biofuels, and bioenergy crops. Investing in further research for alternatives to livestock farming is needed. Some have argued that livestock emissions can be technically mitigated by modifying animal feed, better managing pastures, carbon sequestration, and manure storage.

Welfare issues remain:

But technical mitigation does not address the endemic animal welfare problems in the livestock industry. Consumer demand is one of the most powerful strategies to combat animal welfare and environmental problems. Research shows that we must reduce food waste and losses in the supply chain and change our diets toward less resource-intensive diets, such as plant-based diets. Doing so would cut emissions by two-thirds and save lives. It's possible to eliminate animal suffering and reduce carbon emissions by reducing and replacing livestock production and consumption. Alternatives to dairy milk include soy and almond milk. Soy milk is nutritionally comparable to dairy milk and has a significantly smaller environmental footprint. Policy initiatives also need to address these issues. The Food and Agriculture Organization's Livestock's Long Shadow report recommends a policy approach that correctly prices natural resources to reflect the full environmental costs and to end damaging subsidies. In the interim, higher taxes on meat and other livestock products will be necessary to improve public health and combat climate change. Denmark, for instance, is considering proposals to raise the tax on meat after its ethics council concluded that climate change is an ethical problem. Governments everywhere need to have a transitional plan for livestock producers and workers - one that helps to cultivate the ethical and sustainable agricultural endeavors of the future.

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ENVR 124 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: High-Protein Diet, Intensive Animal Farming, Sustainable Agriculture

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