Wheat Farming Introduction Introduction Examples -Canadian prairies 加拿大溫帶草原 -USA prairies 美國溫帶草原 -Murray Basin in Australia 澳洲墨累河盆 -Pampas in Argentina 阿根廷南美大草原 -Ukaine 烏克蘭 -North China Plain 華北平原 Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Introduction Distribution of wheat farming Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Introduction 1. Relief 2. Climate Flat to undulating Temperate continental climate 3. Thermal input 4. Rainfall 5. Drainage Moderate, around 20’C Low to moderate, 500-750mm Well - drained 6.Life cycle 7. Soil Short, about 3-4 months Rich grassland soil ( e.g. chernozem 黑鈣土, prairie soil 溫帶草原土) 8. Farm site Far away from urban areas 9. Farm size Large Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Introduction 13. Land value 14. Land use intensity 15. Type of farm produce 16. Source of labour 17. Labour cost Low Low Wheat (a more durable crop) Cereal (staple food crop) From family, employed workers High 18. Level of mechanization High, large-scale Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Introduction 19. Input of electricity 20. Capital input High ( fuels, petrol ) Large 21. Market 22. Transport linkage 23. Settlement pattern Local and international By lorry, railway, ship Scattered 24. Soil conservation Windbreaks, rotation, fallowing 25. Degree of modification Moderate Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Ecological changes and impact 1. Flooding Flooding due to Impact - Occasional extreme weather conditions - Global warming - Snow melting - Widespread deforestation - Uprooting and destruction of crops - Excessively prolonged water logging - Rotting of seedlings - Weeds and pests occur - damage of farmhouses and infrastructure - Alluvium deposited increases soil fertility Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 2. El Nino & La Nina El Nino & La Nina Impact - More frequent and larger scale of climatic hazard - destruction of crop, farmhouse, machine and infrastructure Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Drought Drought due to Impact - Insufficient rainfall - strong wind - drought-prone areas (monsoon areas, continental interior) - overcultivation - Inadequate water for irrigation Introduction Ecological - Crop failure Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 4. Global warming Global warming Impact Heat is trapped by green house gases -Uncertain change of micro-climate - Pests and weeds increase (carbon dioxide, CFCs, methane, nitrous oxide) Introduction Ecological - Concentrated carbon dioxide increases crop production Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 5. Tornados & typhoon Tornados & typhoon Impact - Uprooting of crops - Physical damage of crops - Damage of machines, farmhouses and infrastructure - Crop failure Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 6. Frost and hail Frost and hail Impact -Physical damage of crops - Less frost – free day - Shorter growing season - Crop failure Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 7. Soil erosion Soil erosion due to Impact - Overcultivation - Deforestation - Drought - Strong wind - Decreases soil fertility - Decreases growing capacity - Crop failure Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Case study – Canadian Prairies Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Case study – Canadian Prairies Favorable physical characteristics : 1) Long, sunny, summer days 2) Winter frosts help to break up the soil 3) The chinook wind (千諾風) melts the snow in spring helps to extend the growing season. 4) Relief is gently undulating (machinery and transport) 5) Decayed vegetation gives chernozem (黑鈣土) and prairie soil (溫帶草原土) Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Case study – Canadian Prairies Unfavorable physical characteristics : 1) In the north, growing season is short ( falls below the minimum requirement of 90 days ) 2) Precipitation is low, about 500mm 3) In summer, hail and tornados ruin the crop and droughts occur periodically 4) In winter, snows come as blizzards (暴風雪) 5) Removal of vegetation leads to erosion by wind and convectional rainstorms Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Economic considerations Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. High investment cost High investment - Require high level of technology, modernized machinery cost - Routine care against pests - Land preparation (use of fertilizer) Capital affects the scale of farming Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 2. High management fee High management fee Farm size is very large, computer is used for management High management fee Cost of production increased Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. High wage rate & labour shortage High wage rate & Labour shortage - People is not willing to work in farm - Rural – urban migration - Require skillful and educated workers and technicians Rely more on machine, labour force is partly replaced Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 4. High maintenance fee High maintenance High level of machinery (e.g. combine harvesters, sprinkles) fee Maintenance fee and electricity fee is high Increases cost of production Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 5.Land use competition Land use competition Urbanization More demand of land for urban development Bid up land rent More tertiary and secondary land use Less land for farming Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 6. Change from local to world market Expanded Improved technology and transportation market (huge elevators, railway) International Trading Organization (WTO, EU) Better connection of farmers and market Market expanded Demand increased Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 7.Change of taste Change MDCs sent surplus Increased living standard of taste wheat to LDCs as aid More food variety and choice Taste changed and demand fluctuated Farmers pay more attention of future market projection Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 8. Diversification of wheat Diversification Technology advancement of wheat More types of wheat e.g. Durum (杜蘭) pasta Buckwheat (蕎麥) bread Farmers consider different types of wheat Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 8. Diversification of wheat Durum杜蘭 Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 8. Diversification of wheat Buckwheat 蕎麥 Introduction Ecological Economic Traditional wheat Human modification Sustainable farming 9. Government policy Government Subsidies, protective tariff, government purchase of surplus grain, improves policy infrastructure Production cost decreases, Greater incentives of farming Farmers may expand their farm Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Human modification Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. Mechanization Mechanization Problem solved -water pumps -sprinklers -tractors -combine harvesters -help in farm procedures (ploughing, sowing, spraying of fertilizers, irrigation, harvesting) -help in handling, storage, packing and delivery of farm produce -increase labour productivity, farm yield and efficiency -reduce the problem of labour shortage Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. Mechanization Mill separating wheat into flour, bran and germ Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. Mechanization Ploughing Harvesting Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. Mechanization A drill is used to put grain seeds into the ground Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. Mechanization A disk is used to mix and firm the top 6-8 inches of soil Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. Mechanization Grain bin is a place where grain is protected from pests attack, rainfall and other damaging wheather Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1. Mechanization Problem aroused -soil is compacted by heavy machines. infiltration decreases and surface runoff increases, leading to soil erosion and flooding -require fossil fuels, which may pollute the environment -large fields are needed, so often trees around fields are cut down (loss of habitat for birds and wild animals) -soil is more easily blown or washed away after cutting down of trees Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 2. Irrigation Irrigation Problem solved -control the availability, quantity, time and reliability of water supply -lengthen growing season -the problem of periodic drought is solved -quality and productivity are increased Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 2. Irrigation Problem aroused -excessive irrigation water -water logging -salinization -increase the number of pests and weeds -overpumping of ground water salt-water invasion Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Use of fertilizers Fertilizers Problem solved -superphosphates in Australia -nitrogen -phosphorus -potassium -enrich the soil -crop yield is raised and ensured Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Use of fertilizers Chart showing the amount of different fertilizer used Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Use of fertilizers Problem aroused --crops become more vulnerable to pest attack -encourage eutrophication of stream(富養化) algal bloom -contaminate water supplies -increase in DO(dissolved oxygen 溶解氧) demand and depletion of DO -pollute the habitat of birds and animals -food poisoning -creation of super species -nitrous oxides green house effect Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Use of pesticides and weedicides Pesticides & Problem solved weedicides -minimize nutrient loss -eliminate weeds which drain away nutrients -reduce loss caused by pests attack Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Use of pesticides and weedicides Wheat sawfly Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Use of pesticides and weedicides Russian wheat aphid Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3. Use of pesticides and weedicides Problem aroused -food poisoning -poison the food chain -pollute the habitat of birds and wild animals -pollution of water and air (sprayed by plane) Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 4. Biotechnology Biotechnology Problem solved -Cross-breeding of plants and animals -genetic enginneering and modifications -more rapid growth -disease resistance -temperature resistance -more efficient fertilizer use -reduced pesticide use -less environmental pollution by chemicals -greater yields -more nutritious composition Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 4. Biotechnology Fertilizer consumption is decreasing due to biotechnology and other improved farmiing method Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 4. Biotechnology Problem aroused -unpredictable and uncontrollable consequences to ecosystem -undermines the Earth’s biodiversity -creation of super species -food webs are simplified -fast-growing species less humus(腐殖質) from litter decomposition soil erosion -ecosystems become unstable -crops are not tested for toxicity before marketing Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 5.Seed selection Seed selection Problem solved -new strains of plant (drought-resistant wheat, hybrids 雜交 小麥, high-yielding varieties of wheat HYV ) -healthier seeds -more efficient use of sunlight -faster growth, quick-maturing -drought-resistant -temperature-resistant -disease-resistant -pest-resistant -higher yield per hectare -less input of pesticides (less pollution) Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 5. Seed selection Problem aroused -may lead to over-cultivation -unpredictable and uncontrollable ecological consequences -loss of biodiversity -may lead to extinction of some species Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 5. Seed selection Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 6.Expand into marginal land Expand into marginal land Problem solved -more land for farming -reduce the problem of land competition -slow down the bid up of land price Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 6. Expand into marginal land Problem aroused -the growing capacity of marginal land is often low -require more irrigation, machinery, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides -overcultivation soil exhaustion and erosion -loss of swamps, pastures and forests -habitat of wildlife is damaged Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Human modification – sustainable farming method Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1.Organic farming Organic farming Organic way to improve soil Introduction Ecological Benefits -use biological sources for plant nutrients -green manure and organic matter (animal waste) is added to the soil to improve soil structure, enhance fertility, increase water storage capacity -grow leguminous plants (豆科作物) to add nitrogen to the soil -e.g. mulch護根層, ash from plants Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 1.Organic farming Organic farming Organic way to protect crops Introduction Ecological Benefits -biological control of pests is used (using natural predators 捕獵者) -mechanical control of pests (netthing 網屋, changing planting times and patterns ) Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 2.Crop rotation Crop rotation Benefits -efficient nutrient cycling -reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides -increase soil fertility Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 2.Crop rotation Chart showing less nutrient leakage for crop rotation Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3.Windbreaks Windbreaks Benefits -reduce wind speed -retain exposed soil particles -eliminate the damaging and desiccating (乾化) effects on plant growth -increase infiltration, reduce surface runoff Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 3.Windbreaks Wind break Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming 4. Contour ploughing Contour ploughing Benefits -control land-gradient -reduce soil erosion Introduction Ecological Economic Human modification Sustainable farming Thank you