Friday, February 10 th , 2012
1.
Fill in the chart for the different soil types:
Soil type Particle size (in mm)
Permeability (water holding capacity): put in order 1-5, 1= holds the least water/most permeable, 5= holds the most water/least permeable
Porosity (% of space between particles): put in order 1-5, 1= most porosity/most space where water can travel through, 5= least porous/least space that water can travel through
2.
Look at the soil types/textures of soil triangle. Which soil type holds the most water?
3.
What is a limiting factor, and how did Liebig explain how limiting factors effect crop yield
(amount of crops produced)?
Limiting factor? Liebig’s Law?

4.
Which of the following is most likely to be the most limiting factor: Nitrogen, Phosphorus,
Carbon, Oxygen, Sulfur or Hydrogen? Why?
Limiting factor? Why?
5.
Identify where the following elements tend to build up/where they exist most frequently?
Rocks/minerals in the soil, Air (as a gas), in living things (biotic organisms)
Nitrogen Phosphorus Carbon
6.
Macronutrients like Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are added to plants in inorganic fertilizers. Carbon is also a macronutrient. Why is carbon not included in fertilizers?
7.
List two ways that humans affect the nitrogen cycle, using industrial agricultural practices?
1.
2.

8.
Label the different soil horizons, and write what soil types each one is composed of.
Horizon Composition (soil types that make it up)
9.
A farmer wants to use a biological control, instead of using pesticide. What are 2 biological
control options for this organic farmer?
1.
2.
10.
An inorganic farmer has been using a synthetic pesticide on his crops. He uses an insecticide that works at first, but then stops work. What is the most likely reason that the insecticide
stops working?
11.
What is Integrated Pest management?
12.
What are 2 causes of increased Salinization in soil?
1.
2.

13.
List at least 3 disadvantages and 3 advantages to using a genetically modified monoculture, like corn?
3.
Advantages
1.
2.
Disadvantages
1.
2.
3.
14.
List 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages to local, organic farming?
5.
Advantages
3.
4.
1.
2.
Disadvantages
3.
4.
1.
2.
5.
15.
Industrial farms often use monoculture farming, so they can produce large crop yields.
Unfortunately, a lot industrial farming practices lead to soil salinization (increasing the concentration of salt, usually by reducing the concentration of water and other solutes, like nutrients), desertification (drying out soil, like a desert), soil erosion (carrying away soil by wind or water). List 4 practices that are common/necessary for an industrial monoculture farm.
1.
2.
3.
4.
16.
What are 3 ways to reduce soil erosion (soil composition notes 2)?
1.
2.
3.
17.
What is the green revolution, and how did affect agriculture?
The green revolution is…
The green revolution affected agriculture by…

18.
What is crop rotation? Describe how it relates to the nitrogen cycle.
Crop rotation is…
It relates to the nitrogen cycle because…
19.
List 3 advantages and disadvantages of using genetically diverse plants (with different DNA)?
3.
Advantages
1.
2.
Disadvantages
20.
In the globally, of the world uses 65% of its freshwater use on agriculture. The U.S. is slightly lower. Calculate the percent of freshwater used in the U.S. for irrigation and livestock use by using the diagram below.
What is the total (ground water + surface water) used on livestock in the U.S.?
What is the total (ground water + surface water) used on Irrigation in the U.S.?
What is the total freshwater used in the U.S?
What is the percentage of freshwater used for irrigation and livestock in the U.S.?

21.
What are 3 results of overusing groundwater?
1.
2.
3.
22.
What are 4 ways to conserve water/reduce your ecological footprint for water through irrigation practices?
4.
1.
2.
3.
23.
What is Eutrophication? How does fertilizer run off cause Eutrophication?
Eutrophication is…
(list the steps)
Fertilizer run off causes Eutrophication by...
24.
What is BOD? How are BOD and dissolved oxygen levels related? How is dissolved oxygen levels related to ecosystem health?
BOD is….
As BOD increases due to sewage or agricultural runoff, dissolved oxygen…
Dissolved oxygen affects organisms in an aquatic ecosystem because…

25.
What is a subsistence farm? Fill in the diagram for a subsistence farm.
Subsistence farming is…
26.
What are 3 practices that a subsistence farmer might have to implement in a farm in subsistence farm in Korea, which has monsoon rains in June and July, and temperatures of 0-
10° Celsius in the winter and can get up to 33°C in the summer? Consider how they could adjust to the local environment.
2.
3.
Farming Practice
1.
How it will help sustain the farm?
27.
What are 3 soil conservation practices that could be used on a farm in Teagu , Korea (which has distinct wet and dry seasons)?
2.
3.
Conservation practices
1.
How it will help sustain the farm?
28.
List 3 advantages and disadvantages to polyculture subsistence farming.
Advantages
1.
2.
3.
Disadvanatages
29.
Why is it more efficient (energy and land use wise) to grow grain and produce (crops) for human consumption than meat for human consumption?