Part 4

Irrigation Farming

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Where is southern California?

It is situated in the west coast of the United States It is the region which is roughly the area south of San Francisco

San Francisco

What come to your mind whenpointthink Can you you out of California? the location of California?

Southern California

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What is the physical environment in southern California?

Relief and drainage
Sacramento River Do you know the relief and the drainage systems in southern California? Which places do you think are suitable for farming?

Sierra Nevada

Central Valley
San Joaquin River Coast Ranges Colorado River

Imperial Valley
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Relief complicated and diverse , Highland of over 400 m >400 Coast Ranges Sierra Nevada Extensive farmland on low-lying areas between mountain ranges Central Valley Imperial Valley Water resource Central Valley Sacramento River + San Joaquin River Imperial Valley Colorado River
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Oxford University Press 2003

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What is the physical environment in southern California?

Climate characteristics Temperature
Temperature increases southwards () annual temperature: 12 to 32 oC

Any spatial differences in temperature within California between the northern and southern region?

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In the central-Fresno
Hot & dry climate Mediterranean climate

30 25 20 300 250 200

Temperature
Hot summer mild winter , High annual mean temperature: 26oC , 26oC Great diurnal range of temperature (20oC) (20)

(oC)

15 150 10 100 5 0 -5 J F M A M J J A S O N D 50 0

() (oC)

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()

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In the central-Fresno
Hot & dry climate Mediterranean climate

30 25 20 300 250 200

Precipitation
Low annual rainfall

(oC)

15 150 10 100 5 0 -5 J F M A M J J A S O N D 50 0

() (oC)

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()

(about 260mm) (260) Distinct seasonal difference (distinct dry seasons in summer) ,

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In the north-Fresno
Limited rainfall
Locates on the Central Valley (rain shadow area) () away from sea (without maritime influence) () Affected by offshore wind in summer (dry summer) ()

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In the south -Los Angeles

Cool and dry climate Subtropical semi-arid/ continental climate /

30 25 20 300 250

Temperature
Hot summer warm winter , medium annual mean temperature: 19.5oC , 19.5oC moderate diurnal range of temperature (10oC) (10)

(oC)

15 150 10 5 0 -5 J F M A M J J A 100 50 0

S O N D () (oC)

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()

200

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In the south -Los Angeles

Cool and dry climate Subtropical semi-arid/ continental climate /

30 25 20 300 250

Precipitation
Low annual rainfall

(oC)

15 150 10 5 0 -5 J F M A M J J A 100 50

0 S O N D () (oC)

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()

200

(about 381mm) (381) significant seasonal difference in rainfall, but without dry seasons ,

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In the south-Los Angeles

more rainfall than Fresno
Coastal location (maritime influence) () Affected by offshore wind in summer (dry summer)

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Reasons for a climatic variation? ? Latitude Distance from sea (coastal/ continental) (/) Prevailing winds

30 25 20
()

300

30
250 200
(oC)

300 250
()

25 20
(oC)

200 150

15 150 10 100 5 0 -5 J F M A M J J A S O N D 50 0

15 10 5 0 -5 J F M A M J J 100 50 0

A S O N D () (oC)

() (oC)

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Effects of prevailing winds

Onshore wind + mountainous regions higher rainfall +

Offshore wind less rainfall

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North California

To + R difference: latitudinal difference + distance from sea

Central California

Southern California

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throughout the year

North California Warm moist winter Mediterranean Hot arid summer climate

Central California

Southern California

Desert-like/ Scare rainfall Semi-arid climate Imperial Valley

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Spatial distribution pattern of rainfall in California

Rainfall decreases southwards

Rainfall decreases inland coastal: Relief rain inland: Rain shadow

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Soil
High temperature higher rate of evaporation high salt content Alkaline Infertile

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Major farming (physical) constraints () Lack of water : ~ dry climate ~ inadequate water supply
Alkaline, infertile soil Hilly relief with limited low flatland

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What is the physical environment in southern California?

Climate
Temperature

Temperature increases/ decreases towards the south

Study the temperatures of different cities in California. How would you describe the change in temperature from the south to the north?

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What is the physical environment in southern California? Are there any difference in
Climate
rainfall in different places in California?

Rainfall
Rainfall increases/decreases southwards Northern Rain all year round part: Summers are hot and dry, Central Mediterranean and winters are warm part: climate and wet Southern part: Scarce rainfall Desert-like climate

Rainfall decreases from the coast towards inland Coastal regions: Relief rain Inland regions: Rain shadow effect
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Oxford University Press 2003

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What is the physical environment in southern California?

Soil
High temperature Alkaline Infertile High evaporation rates Soil with large amount of salt

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Where do people farm in southern California? Read the map carefully. Do

you know where is the most productive area in southern California?

Central Valley

The most productive Central Valley areas:

Coachella Valley
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What do people farm in southern California?

Mainly fruits, vegetables and cotton

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What is the irrigation farming system in southern California?

Physical inputs
1 Climate Temperature: Annual rainfall: 2 Soil 3

Characteristics
12 32
Dry climate

Low/Scanty , about 200 400 mm

What are the characteristics of the physical inputs?

Infertile soil

Alkaline and infertile

Land Extensive lowland in the Central Valley, the Coachella Valley and the Imperial Valley Water supply From the San Joaquin River and the Colorado River

Lack of lowland for farming

Inadequate water supply

Seeds
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What is the irrigation farming system in southern California?

Cultural inputs 1 Labour Contract workers 2 Capital High investment Use of machinery 3 Irrigation Water schemes such as reservoirs, dams and canals, provide water for irrigation Characteristics Most of them are Mexican origin Capital - intensive farming practice To ensure sufficient water _________ resources

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4 Chemicals Use of pesticides and fertilizers 5 Research and technology Develop new species of crops which give higher yields

To ensure high output per hectare of farmland

To improve the output of farm production Reduce production costs Government aid to farming through different policies

6 Government aids Local government provides subsidies

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What is the irrigation farming system in southern California?

Processes
1. Farming activities, such as ploughing, seeding , planting, irrigation, pest control, fertilizing, harvesting 2. Specializationand commercialization

Specialize in one or two crops

Farm outputs are sold at home and abroad

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What is the irrigation farming system in southern California?

Outputs
1 Commercial crops, such as fruits, vegetables, cotton and nuts 2 Waste, such as unused parts of the crops Good linkages with markets Well connected with other parts of the country by roads railroads and Trains and trucks with What are the refrigerated facilities characteristics of the output?

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High output system

High input of capital

High input of technology

High productivity

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How can technology facilitate the high-output system in southern California?

Irrigation system Use of farming machinery biotechnology

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What is the irrigation farming system in southern California?

Why agricultural activities are welldeveloped even though there are natural constraints in southern California?

Farmers use advanced farming technologies to overcome the agricultural constraints in southern California

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What agricultural technologies are used to overcome agricultural constraints in southern California?
Agricultural technologies

Environmental improvement

Biological innovation

Mechanical improvement

Application of chemicals

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What are the problems and limitations of technology?

What are the problems caused by irrigation?
Rapid evaporation (hot, dry climate) high salt content in the soil (salinization) land becomes unproductive Use of windmills to tape ground water for irrigation, fall of water table

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A lot of ground water is tapped, the water table falls and the land subsides land subsidence
Ground water may be polluted with salt and toxic chemicals Excess irrigation leads to soil erosion Washing away of chemicals leads to water pollution

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What are the problems and limitations of technology?

What are the problems caused by the use of chemicals?

How does a normal water ecosystem ( ) look like?

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What are the problems and limitations of technology?

What are the problems caused by the use of chemicals?

Level of oxygen falls

High level nutrients How do excessof nitrates in drinking water affects cause eutrophication in the health of children! Death of most living water ecosystems? things
Too much fertilizers is used

Excess fertilizers is Eutrophication washed into rivers Excess growth of algae

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What are the problems and limitations of technology?

What are the problems caused by the use of chemicals?
And on and on, and on
More pest problems Pest problems Use of more chemical pesticides

More pest problems

Increased resistance

More increased resistance Use of more chemical pesticides
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More increased resistance

Use of chemical pesticides

More pest problems

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What are the problems and limitations of technology?

What are the problems caused by using biotechnology?
Do not have enough data to tell whether genetically-modified food is harmful or not Do not have enough data to tell what effects will be caused to agroecosystem by introducing genetically-modified crop

Do you like to eat maize which has the genes of spider? Is genetically-modified food safe?

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How can we sustain a balance between the use of technology and the environment?
A high-input, high-output farming system
High demand for resources Environmental costs involved are very high

Manage farming practices in a more sustainable way

Decrease the dependence on excess use of water for irrigation, chemicals and fuels

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How can we sustain a balance between the use of technology and the environment?
Precision agriculture
Use of computers and other information technologies to assist agriculture
Means
Field conditions for crop growth are measured and recorded
Nutrient levels, soil texture and chemistry, moisture content and pest pattern

Advantages
Provide precise and valuable data for farmers to plan their work

Examples
Drip irrigation system Calculates and applies the necessary amount of water, nutrients and pesticides for individual plants

Reduce the use of chemicals Reduce pollution of underground water Reduce waste of resources and thus increase profits Save energy Reduce environmental damage
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Means Advantages Field conditions for crop growth Provide precise and valuable are measured and recorded data for farmers to plan their work Nutrient levels, soil texture and chemistry, moisture content and pest pattern

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Means

Advantages

Examples Drip irrigation system Calculates and applies the necessary amount of water, nutrients and pesticides for individual plants

Reduce the use of chemicals Reduce pollution of underground water Reduce waste of resources and thus increase profits Save energy Reduce environmental damage

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How can we sustain a balance between the use of technology and the environment?
Organic farming
Use natural methods of pest control and apply manure to the soil
Organically grown crops are more healthy Major organic farm produce in California: Flowers Fruits

Demand for organically grown crops is increasing

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What are the differences between farming in the Sahel and in southern California?
Conditions
Rainfall pattern Economic development level
Intensity of farming

The Sahel
300 600 mm Highly variable and unreliable ( More developed/Less developed ) ( Intensive/Extensive ) ( Pastoral/Arable )

Southern California
200 450 mm Variable and unreliable ( More developed/Less developed) ( Intensive/Extensive ) ( Pastoral/Arable )

Characteristics of the farming system

Type of farming

Capital inputs
Level of technology

( Large/Small )
( High/Low ) Using few machines and little technology inputs

( Large/Small )
( High/Low ) Using computers to control irrigation devices, chemical fertilizers and pesticide, and biotechnology
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What are the differences between farming in Sahel and in southern California?
Conditions
Characteristics of the farming system

The Sahel
( Heavy/Little ) Milk, hides, meat ( Much/Little ), e.g. improved grazing technologies, investment in infrastructure ( Adapt to/Modified ) the natural environment Removal of natural vegetation Soil is destroyed by trampling Desertification Land degradation

Southern California
( Heavy/Little ) Fruits, vegetables, nuts, cotton ( Much/Little ), e.g. carrying out import barriers and export assistance policies ( Adapt to/Modified ) the natural environment Salinization Eutrophication Land subsidence Toxication caused by pesticides Biotechnology causing confusion in agro-ecosystem
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Reliance on irrigation Farm produce

Government help

Man-land relationship Impact on the environment

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Government policies (Table 1 on p. 44

Import barriers and export assistance policies ~ Import tax ~ quota limit on export
Input assistance ~ subsidies on production cost ~ loans / tax concession /

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Direct payments Agricultural research , infrastructure/land improvements ~provision of technology and management skill Other assistances ~ export assistance

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Large-scale water projects Aqueducts Sacramento River (California + Los Angeles) Colorado River (Colorado) canals Colorado River (All-American Canal ) Dams & Reservoirs +

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Environmental improvement

Small-scale irrigation methods

Gravity flow systems Irrigation water is drained into the furrows and the water flows downslope due to gravity

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Environmental improvement

Small-scale irrigation methods

Gravity flow systems The sprinkler systems

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Environmental improvement

Small-scale irrigation methods

Gravity flow systems The sprinkler systems The drip irrigation systems Use of small tubes with pinholes to drip water to the root zone of a crop with the aid of computer
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Biological innovation
Biotechnology Genetic engineering Examples: GM food Potato Tomato, maize

Source of introduced genes Chicken Spider, scorpion

Advantages Disease-resistant Pest-resistant

Strawberry Apple

Bean, tobacco Chicken, bacteria

Fungi-resistant
Disease-resistant

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Mechanical improvement
Mechanical planting Combine harvesters Ploughing machines Use of computers to control irrigation systems Time of irrigation Amount of irrigation water Use of computers in farming operations

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Application of chemicals
Examples: Pesticides Fertilizers

Reduce crop failure Improve crop yield and quality

Lower production costs

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