Impact of Agriculture (Copy)
3.5 Impact of Agriculture – Cheat Sheet
Environmental Impacts
| Practice | Impact on Environment | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Overuse of Insecticides & Herbicides | Kills non-target species, disrupts food chains, contaminates soil & water, reduces biodiversity | DDT harming bird populations |
| Overuse of Fertilisers | Eutrophication of rivers/lakes → algal blooms → fish death due to oxygen depletion | Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” |
| Mismanaged Irrigation | Causes waterlogging (roots suffocate) & salinisation (salt buildup reduces fertility) | Indus Valley irrigation, Pakistan |
| Soil Erosion | Overgrazing/deforestation exposes soil → loss of topsoil fertility | Sahel region, Africa |
| Exhaustion of Mineral Ions | Continuous cropping without replenishment depletes nutrients | Declining yields in sub-Saharan Africa |
Social & Economic Impacts
| Issue | Effect on People | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Overproduction & Waste | Surplus food wasted, prices fall, farmers may lose income | EU food surpluses (“butter mountains”) |
| Cash Crops Replacing Food Crops | Land used for export crops → local food shortages, dependency on imports | Coffee & cocoa in Ghana vs local food needs |
| Health Risks | Pesticide residues in food, contaminated drinking water | Farm workers exposed to toxic chemicals |
Quick Pointers
- Short-term gains vs long-term environmental costs.
- Balance needed between productivity and sustainability.
- Soil conservation, organic farming, and crop rotation can reduce impacts.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course