Agricultural Resources & Limitation Geography 20F Unit 3: Food From The Land https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAzJcYBkQOs

ARABLE LAND The area of land that is suitable for agricultural use across the globe including fertile soils, pastures & forests. * Land that can be cultivated

What percentage of the surface area of the globe do you think contains arable land? It is….. 3%

What percentage of the surface area of the globe is covered by water? It is….. 70%

What percentage of the globe is covered by mountains? It is….. 17%

What percentage of the globe do you think is covered by deserts? It is….. 10%

Why is this a concern? We need food from the land! As cities grow (urbanization) land for farming is limited. Population increase puts more demand on the land. Less fresh food (food in general). Climate change will cause agricultural areas to change.

FAMINE A temporary situation in which a country or region does not have enough available food to feed its population.

STARVATION An extreme form of hunger in which people suffer from a serious, or total, lack of energy and essential vitamins and minerals. The body wastes away as tissue is consumed to provide protein and energy.

MALNUTRITION A condition in which health is damaged by an unbalanced diet that includes either too much or too little of one or more essential nutrients over an extended period.

Resources & Limitations

Natural Systems Agriculture depends on the interaction of a number of natural systems: Climate – amount of solar energy (heat) and moisture Soil – how fertile the soil is depends on how much humus is present. This is effected by moisture. Topography – level land is generally best for farming Biology – some organisms are highly beneficial to farming. Example, earthworms, bees. Other are very harmful. Example, weeds, BSE, grasshoppers

Perfect Farming Conditions There are very few areas that have the perfect combination for farming: long growing season the right amount of moisture rich soils level land right biological conditions

Correcting Deficiencies For thousands of years people have worked to overcome the land they farm. Some Examples Irrigation Pesticides Fertilizer Larger Equipment New seed varieties

Different Types of Agriculture Farming can be described as subsistence or cash cropping Subsistence farmers – grow crops and raise livestock to meet the immediate needs of their families. They produce many different products, often on small farms Cash-crop Farmers – the produce is sold in local and world markets. They specialize in producing only a few products on a large farm. They may not use any of the products they grow or raise,

Different Types of Agriculture Farming can also be described as either intensive or extensive Intensive farming – farming a small amount of land with the use of large amounts of labour and capital ($$). Example – fruit and vegetable growing, vineyards, hog factory farms Extensive farming – large amounts of land with limited amounts of labour and capital. Examples – grain, ranches

Bill Nye: Farming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aijXkKGdz_A