POS
- monocultures
- resource management
-sustainability
K3-Analyze plant environments, and identify
impacts of specific factors and controls
Describe methods used to increase yields,
through modifying the environment and by
creating artificial environments (e.g.,describe
processes used in raising bedding plants or in
vegetable production through hydroponics)
POS cont’d
investigate and identify intended and
unintended consequences of environmental
management practices (e.g.,identify problems
arising from monocultural land use in
agricultural and forestry practices, such as
susceptibility to insect infestation or loss of
diversity)
K1 ｷ investigate the extent of natural and
managed living resources in agricultural,
horticultural, forest and grassland
environments; and identify examples of local
and global change (e.g., describe changes in
 investigate practical problems and
issues in maintaining productive plants
within sustainable environments, and
identify questions for further study (e.g.,
investigate the long-term effects of
irrigation practices or fertilizer use)
Unit 2
Plants for Food and Fibre
“Topic 7”
Human Impact via Agriculture and
Forestry
How are we going to
meet the needs of this
plant?
-sunlight
-optimal temperature
-water
-nutrients
-sustainability
-harvest/planting
-resistance to disease
…and what are the
effects of our
agricultural
“improvements” on the
nearby ecosystems?
#1- Issue
Habitat Loss
Most of the native prairie land in Alberta
has been converted into
farmland/ranchland.
Forests
Exception: National/provincial parks
*birds/pheasants/deer like fields 
Irrigation
Watering an area such
as a field or a lawn to
promote plant growth
Most of the water
evaporates
Why do we have lawns?
Alternatives?
Restrictions
Colorado River *read only
The Colorado River is a river in the
southwestern United States and northwestern
Mexico, approximately 1,450 mi (2,330 km)
long, draining a part of the arid regions on the
western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The
natural course of the river flows into the Gulf
of California, but the heavy use of the river as
an irrigation source for the Imperial Valley
has desiccated the lower course of the river
in Mexico such that it no longer consistently
reaches the sea
Hydrologic/Irrigation Dam
Colorado River/Grand Canyon
Fertilization
Adding Nutrients to the soil
Two types:
Organic (manure, compost)
Chemical (comes from fossil fuels)
if we run out of fossil fuels = no fertilizer = no food
N-P-K
N-Nitrogen
P-Phosphorus
K-Potassium
Ex.
N
P
K
Algae (phytoplankton) bloom
Colorado River/Gulf of Mexico
Chemical fertilizers that
runoff from either residential
or agricultural use (or car
wash soap) will end up in
rivers and lakes. This
fertilizer will encourage
algae growth, which blocks
out sunlight. As the algae
dies and decomposes, the
bacteria use up the oxygen,
causing fish to suffocate.
Greenhouses
Used for growing
flowers, vegetables,
fruits, and tobacco, that
would not otherwise be
able to grow in a
particular climate or
season…requires
indoor irrigation, limits
pests
Hydroponics/Aquaponics
a method of growing
plants using mineral
nutrient solutions
instead of soil
Hydro/Aqua-water
Aquaponics: same
thing, but fish add
nutrients to the water
Golf Courses
Environmentally
speaking, EVIL!
The high amount of
irrigation and
fertilizer required to
keep such short
grass so green is
not environmentally
responsible
Monoculture
Growing an entire
field or forest of the
same species of
plant, (trees
included) or animal
Simplifies planting,
fertilization,
harvesting
Changes in Technology
Hand Scythe vs. Combine
Hay Baler
Horse plow
Hauling
Fertilizer