Introduction to Agriculture and the Ecosystems

Chapter 2
After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
• Understand the impact of agriculture on the environment
• Analyze the link of agriculture to the development of societies

Lesson 1. Agriculture and the Environment

Feeding an ever-increasing global population while decreasing environmental impact and maintaining natural
resources for future generations is a major problem for agriculture. Agriculture can have a big environmental impact.
While negative effects such as pollution and deterioration of land, water, and air are important, agriculture can also
have a positive impact on the environment, such as trapping greenhouse gases inside crops and soils or lowering flood
risks through employment of particular farming practices.

The environmental impact of agriculture refers to the influence that various farming techniques have on the
ecosystems in which they operate, as well as how those effects can be linked to those activities. Agriculture's
environmental impact varies depending on the wide range of agricultural practices used around the world. Finally, the
environmental impact is determined by the farming system's production processes. The link between environmental
emissions and the farming system is indirect because it is also influenced by other climate variables such as rainfall
and temperature. Other influences can include the sorts of agricultural machinery employed, as well as the farmer's
choice of how to handle his or her cattle.

There are two types of environmental impact indicators: ‘means-based”, which is based on the farmer’s
production methods, and “effect-based”, which is based on the influence of the farming practices on the farming
system or environmental emissions. The quality of groundwater, which is affected by the amount of nitrogen given to
the soil, is an example of a means-based indicator. Effect-based indicators would represent the loss of nitrate to the
effect-based evaluation assesses the agricultural system’s real impacts. For example, a means-based analysis may look
at pesticides and fertilization methods used by farmers, whereas an effect-based analysis might look at how much CO2
is emitted or how much nitrogen is in the soil.

The environmental impact of agriculture refers to the influence that various farming techniques have on the
ecosystems in which they operate, as well as how those effects can be linked to those activities. Agriculture's
environmental impact varies depending on the wide range of agricultural practices used around the world. Finally, the
environmental impact is determined by the farming system's production processes. The link between environmental
emissions and the farming system is indirect because it is also influenced by other climate variables such as rainfall
and temperature. Other influences can include the sorts of agricultural machinery employed, as well as the farmer's
choice of how to handle his or her cattle.

Soil quality (sustainability concerns)

Contamination, erosion, desertification, nutrient delivery, and moisture balance are all issues here. Changes
in land use practices such as deforestation, hedgerow removal, overgrazing, ignoring soil conservation strategies, or
cropping of uncultivated land can all harm soils. In Mediterranean countries, soil erosion is a particularly serious issue.

Water quality and quantity (pollution concerns)

Nutrient and pesticide leaching, water extraction and drainage, and floods are all issues here. Contamination
of ground and surface waters due to high levels of production and usage of manure and chemical fertilizers is a severe
concern, especially in places where extensive livestock or specialist crop cultivation is practiced. In places where water
usage surpasses critical levels in relation to available water resources, water quantity issues develop. Agriculture is the
greatest significant user of water in the Mediterranean portions of Europe, with an increasing area of irrigated
farmland. The best way to distribute limited water supplies among competing applications is a pressing challenge.

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Air quality (pollution concerns)

The challenges here include greenhouse gas emissions and ammonia emissions. Agriculture produces roughly
8% of overall greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, but it is the primary source of methane (from cow production) and
nitrogen oxide (from grazing animals), accounting for around 40% of these two pollutants.

Biodiversity (conservation concerns)

Genetic, species and environmental variety are all issues to consider. Agriculture intensification has resulted
in widespread extinction of species and habitats. However, over two-fifths of the EU's agricultural land is still under
low-intensity systems, primarily grazing land managed through various animal management systems or permanent
crops managed through traditional methods. They protect semi-natural areas and endangered wildlife species, yet
they are at risk of being abandoned or intensified. These dangers could be exacerbated in the future if food prices rise
in response to rising food and biofuels demand.

Landscape (amenity concerns)

It's more of a cultural and aesthetic issue. If farming becomes unprofitable, marginalization of agricultural land
might lead to its abandonment. In contrast, agricultural intensification can result in the loss of essential landscape
elements like hedges and ponds, as well as the expansion of fields and the replacement of traditional farm buildings
with industrial constructions. For the purpose of more effective farming, access rights may be limited.

Concerns about food safety and animal welfare

Rather than the physical environment, the impact of agricultural practices on human health is an issue. There
is also worry about the impact of increased pesticide and medicine use on the quality and safety of the food supply,
leading to a push for organic farming.

Current and emerging solutions

Reduction of pollution by fertilizer

To limit fertilizer pollution, the EU and North America have used a variety of research and regulatory measures,
including research on slow release and other less polluting formulations; stricter emission and discharge standards for
fertilizer factories, as well as higher fines; public and private advisory (extension) services; physical limits on the use
of manure and mineral fertilizers; and application restrictions.

Reducing pesticide pollution

To assess the safety of pesticides before they are put on the market, rigorous testing methods must be in
place. In the past, developed countries have struggled with this issue and have had to tighten their protocols. The
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and other channels must be used to exchange pesticide safety
information with developing countries. Furthermore, as more developing countries begin to produce pesticides and
create their own products, it is critical that they establish their own testing, licensing, and control methods. Pest
control techniques should be used as part of an integrated pest management strategy that aims to eliminate or reduce
the use of pesticides.

Promotion of organic farming

Organic farming is a crop and livestock production system that entails much more than avoiding the use of
pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Organic farming is a holistic approach aimed at
increasing the productivity and fitness of agro-ecosystem groups such as soil organisms, plants, livestock, and people.
Crop rotations and cover crops are encouraged in organic farming, as are balanced host/predator relationships. On
the farm, organic leftovers and nutrients are recycled back into the soil. To keep soil organic matter and fertility up,
cover crops and composted manure are utilized. Crop rotation, enhanced genetics, and resistant varieties are used as
preventative pest and disease management measures. On an organic farm, integrated pest and weed management,
as well as soil conservation techniques, are essential tools.

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Lesson 2. Agriculture and Society

Agricultural Systems Development

Traditional Farming Rise of Science-Based Specific Science Advance Rise of Ecoagriculture

Systems Farming
 Low-yield production,  Industrial farming for  Agroecology
mainly for household surplus production  Conservation biology
subsistence, small  Green Revolution, mainly  Indigenous farming
surplus for surplus production technology studies
 High-yield production, Landscape ecology
through unsustainable Molecular biology
extractive practices  Population genetics
 High-yield production, Systems analysis
through large-scale  Economic valuation of
landscape modification environmental services
 Remote sensing
 Computer analysis and
modeling
Agricultural System Ecoagriculture
Innovations
 Ecosystem
management, landscape
planning
 Organic agriculture
 Integrated nutrient
resource management
 Multi-functional
agriculture
 Natural systems
agriculture
 Sustainable agriculture,
forestry, agroforestry

Interaction with Wild Biodiversity

Coexistence or destruction Destruction of wild Protect biodiversity useful Landscapes managed both
of wild biodiversity biodiversity on farms; Set- to farming, Reduce harm for the production of food
up of wildlife reserves to wildlife; Learn to co- and the conservation of
apart from farms exist; Learn to manage wildlife and ecosystem
wildlife; Use biodiversity services
Year 1850 1970 2000 Present
Figure 1. Approaches to wild biodiversity in agricultural systems. Adapted from McNeely and Scherr (2002)

An agricultural society, sometimes known as an agrarian society, is one in which social order is built around a
reliance on agriculture. Farming provides a living for more than half of the people in that society.

The shift from hunter-gatherer and horticultural civilizations to agrarian societies was preceded by the
transition from hunter-gatherer and horticultural societies to industrial societies. The Neolithic Revolution, or the shift
to agriculture, has occurred several times separately. Horticulture and agriculture as forms of subsistence emerged in
the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East between 10,000 and 8,000 years ago. Climate change and the stockpiling
of food excess for competitive gift-giving are two possible explanations for the development of agriculture. After a
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long period when some crops were intentionally cultivated and other foods were obtained from the wild, there was
undoubtedly a gradual transition from hunter-gatherer to agrarian cultures. Aside from the Fertile Crescent,
agriculture appeared in East Asia (rice) by at least 6,800 B.C.E. and subsequently in Central and South America (maize
and squash). Small-scale agriculture is also thought to have emerged independently in India (rice) and Southeast Asia
during the early Neolithic period (taro). However, it wasn't until the Bronze Age that people became completely reliant
on cultivated crops and animals, with natural resources contributing just a minor nutritional component to the diet.

Crop breeding, better soil nutrient management, and enhanced weed control have all contributed to higher
yields per unit area. Simultaneously, the introduction of mechanization has reduced the amount of labor required.
Because it lacks the newest science, capital, and technology, the developing world produces poorer yields. Agriculture
employs more people than any other economic activity on the planet, although it only accounts for 4% of global GDP.
In the twentieth century, the fast expansion of mechanization, particularly in the shape of the tractor, eliminated the
need for humans to do the physically difficult chores of seeding, harvesting, and threshing. These chores could be
completed at a speed and scale never seen before, thanks to mechanization. These advancements have resulted in a
significant increase in agricultural yields, resulting in a decrease in the percentage of people in developed countries
who are forced to labor in agriculture to feed the rest of the population.

Assignment:
(1 whole sheet of paper)

1. Explain agricultural practices from your town or province that may have negative impact on the environment.
Recommend solutions to lessen their damage to the environment.

2. How did the rise of mechanization help the farmers? Cite some examples.

Introduction to Agriculture/JMSFrancisco
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