Agricultural Environments at Risk

Agricultural territories on Earth are limited mainly by factors related to relief, soil and climate Some territories have all the conditions to farm while others must deal with a lack of water, rugged terrain or poor soil. In addition, certain extreme climatic conditions can cause real disasters for populations who depend on agriculture to survive.

The Main Threats to Agricultural Territories

A drought in Pakistan: Following 3 consecutive years of drought, the year 2002 was catastrophic for the population of Pakistan. The country lost a major portion of its harvest and its livestock, which resulted in famine. Also in 2002, an exceptional amount of rainfall caused heavy flooding destroying 60% of the vineyards in the South of France. In 57 countries, farmland is threatened by insect infestations.

Flooding: When the Elements Rage

A flood usually occurs when a watercourse overflows onto surrounding land. The floods may be caused by high water, a spring tide, a tsunami, heavy precipitation, an ice jam, etc People tend to live near water, flooding can have catastrophic consequences. It can destroy all or a portion of human structures and farm livestock. Sometimes flooding can be helpful, depositing a rivers sediment and nutrients onto flooded banks

Drought: When Fields Die of Thirst

During a drought, temperatures are high and remain above average. In addition, precipitation is lower than seasonal averages. With the climate change due to global warming droughts are tending to become more and more frequent in arid and semi-arid regions on Earth and they be more numerous and longer in the future. During drought, some ecosystems are destroyed because animal and plant species cannot reproduce, or die due to lack of water. Over a period of time, desertification can occur

Insect Infestation: When Crops are Ravages

An insect infestation is said to occur when a phenomenal number of insects attack an area of vegetation at the same time, and devour it. Of the number of insect species, about 500 are harmful to crops. After a swarm of insects pass through, they leave basically no vegetation behind. Certain insects can find its way into silos, cargo ships, railway cars, etc.. The infested grain goes mouldy and can no longer be turned into bakery products. This causes significant economic losses for producers.

Our World and Its Issues

Agricultural Territories in Environments at Risk

Natural hazards such as droughts, floods and insect infestation are true natural disasters. However all of the agricultural environments are not subject to the same types of natural hazards. Because of different factors related to relief, soil and climate, approximately 10% of the Earths surface is suitable for farming. The practice of agriculture on poorer-quality land is costly and involves the risk of bad harvest s or degradation of the environment Farmers must use increasingly productive practices to meet ever growing demand for agricultural products.

Areas of the World Subject to Increasing Drought

Desertification occurs in regions where soil is fragile, where there is little vegetation cover and where the climate is particularly hot and dry. One third of the Earths surface and over 200 million people are threatened by desertification. According to experts, desertification will increase as the Earths surface temperature is increasing by 1 to 4 .5 degrees. It can lead to famine and more insect invasions

Areas of the World Subject to Increasing Floods

The Earths flood-risk areas are situated alongside oceans and rivers in hot or temperate regions. With global warming scientists predict that precipitation will be more frequent and heavier. They also anticipate a rise in sea levels depending on their location, between now and the next century. Currently, around 45 million people worldwide are likely to be affected by floods. It is estimated that around 200 million people would be effected if sea levels rise by 40 cm.

Managing Agriculture in a Fragile Environment

Managing Agriculture in a Fragile Environment

According to the FAO (food and Agriculture Organization) forecasts, the worlds population will continue to grow over the next century. To meet the growing demand, farmers usually choice of 3 solutions:
1) Increase the area of cultivated land 2) Intensify cultivation (increase amount of harvests) 3) Improve Yields

Some farming practices, however, can increase the fragility of certain environments when they are badly managed. They represent Artificial Risks and add to the natural hazards that threaten certain agricultural territories

Destroying the Wetlands

As expansion of the population increases, the need to build more farmland also increases. Sometimes wetlands located near the flood plains are plowed and cultivated to make room for farms. The wetlands are like natures sponges and when the are plowed over, flooding of the land can result. This also resulted in destroying numerous nesting sites for wildlife.

Drying up the Seas

In the 1960s, a huge irrigation project in the Aral Sea region of central Asia increased the irrigated agricultural area from 4.5 to 7 million hectares. To enlarge the agricultural area, two main rivers were diverted. This intensive irrigation caused the watercourses that flowed into the sea to dry up.

Deforestation
In tropical regions, where population growth is strong, the need for farmland and firewood leads the most desperate populations to clear forests. This situation occurs in many of Africas poor countries. The vegetation cover of forests keeps the ground moist because tree roots retain water. If there is deforestation than the soil dries up and its eroded, due to the effects of the wind. Runoff from rainfall on such exposed soil carries away the thin layer of fertile soil and may cause landslides on sloping ground. Deforestation also increases the risk of flooding.

Intensifying Cultivation

Intensifying Cultivation
Between now and 2030, the FAO considers that intensifying cultivation will be the most important practice for increasing agricultural production. Normally the land that is used to farm needs time for the soil to replenish itself this is called letting the land fallow. The plot of land cannot be farmed on for 15 to 20 years. Now, with the greater demand for agriculture, the land is only untouched for 10 years. This intensive cultivation leads to soil degradation and only provides farmers with average yields, because the soil is less fertile.

Improving Yields

Improving Yields
To increase their productivity, some livestock breeders increase their number of animals in their herds. This practice can prove to be profitable in the short term, but very harmful in the long term, especially in arid to semi-arid regions. Overgrazing occurs when too many animals graze and trample on a territory, which prevents vegetation from regenerating itself. Drought and soil erosion will accelerate, possibly turning farmland into desert.

Improving Land Yields

Improving Land Yields

According to the FAO, 20% of the worlds farmland is irrigated, and it produces 40% of our food supplies. Thanks to irrigation, yields from such land are more than two times greater than those of farmland that is not irrigated The problem is that irrigation causes salinization, a process that affects approximately 30% of the Earths irrigated land, especially in arid environments. When the water evaporates it can leave mineral salts in the ground which can stunt the plant growth.

Farming Practices Adapted to Environments at Risk

Growing Timothy Plants

Crop specialists in arid and semi-arid areas consider timothy grass to be the plant of the future Timothy grass is one of the most drought resistant grains This plant will slow down growth during drought and resumes growth when conditions improve. The kernels are ground and used in cooking, while the stalks and leaves are used to feed livestock.

Irrigation using a Foot-operated Pump

Planting rice or other crops have a short growth cycle intensifies cultivation. The use of a foot-operated pump to irrigate cultivated land has enabled farmers to have three crops a year on the same plot of land. This efficient technique enables water to be pumped from shallow bodies of groundwater, not exhausting the entire groundwater supply. Some farmers have doubled their area using the pump along with the ability to grow a diversity of crops.

Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a type of land management that involves integrating the growing of trees and bushes into agriculture. This practice improves the conditions of the environment, since the trees roots retain the soil and limit erosion. When the tree matures, they are cut and sold, the sale increases the income for the farmers. They then plant a new tree to continue the cycle.