Geography 1100 Chapter Notes -Agroforestry, Integrated Pest Management, Strip Farming
27 Apr 2014
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Organism: individual living thing: reacts, grows, reproduces, maintains homeostasis. Ecosystem: interrelationships between environment and living organisms; energy flow. Species: a group of plants or animals that have a high degree of similarity and can only interbreed among themselves to produce viable offspring (aquatic/terrestrial) 30-40% of global cropland has been environmentally degraded. Loss and degradation of habitats from clearing grasslands and forests and draining wetlands. Replacing thousands of crop strains with a few monocultures. Increased run-off and flooding from land cleared to grow crops. Surface and groundwater pollution from fertilizers and pesticides. Over fertilization of lakes from run off containing nitrates and phosphorus from livestock waste, fertilizers and food-processing wastes. Mixture of eroded rock, organic matter, nutrients, water, air, living organisms (mostly detritivores) Distinct texture and composition; differs with soil type. Mature soils have at least 3 of the horizons. Organic layer, also called surface litter: contains decomposing organic matter.
