EVR 1001 CH 7
Drag the terms on the left to the appropriate blanks on the right to complete the sentences. Terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
1. The largest portion of energy in the food system is consumed by household storage and preparation. 2. Food processing and packaging together account for a little over 25% or 3.5 quads of the energy consumed in the food system annually. 3. Purchasing organically grown food would save energy involved with agricultural production as it would reduce the energy that goes into producing chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 4. Consolidation in the food system means that there are fewer food processing operations, which increases energy used in transportation by increasing the distance between food sources and consumers. 5. Purchasing locally grown produce would reduce energy used in transportation. 6. Eating less meat would reduce energy used in agricultural production. 7. Buying frozen convenience food in bulk could increase energy used in household storage and preparation. 8. The U.S. food system is rather inefficient as it consumes almost 8 times as much energy in producing, processing, packaging, and transporting food than it makes available as food energy output.
Compare the world population index for 1960 to the world population index for 2000. Then express the world population in 2000 as a percentage of world population in 1960. 100% 400% 50% 200%
200%
Using the most reliable information available, how much of the Earth's land surface is used for agriculture today? 10%, according to government surveys of land use 30 to 40%, according to satellite imagery 70%, according to surveys conducted by commercial jets 90%, according to tax records from government agencies
30 to 40%, according to satellite imagery
What percentage more nitrogen would be saved annually by using reduced tillage rather than conventional tillage? 37% 50% 2.7% 63%
37%
Given that annual crop yields in each of the study plots were approximately 4 metric tons/ha, what is the ratio of soil lost to crop yield under conventional tillage? 64,000 kg soil/1 ton crop yield 16,000 kg soil/4 tons crop yield 4,000 tons crop yield/1 kg soil 4,000 kg soil/1 ton crop yield
4,000 kg soil/1 ton crop yield
Approximately how much more soil was lost using conventional tillage rather than reduced tillage? 16,000 kg/ha 160 kg/ha 5,000 kg/ha 50 kg/ha
5,000 kg/ha
Now compare fertilizer use in 1960 to fertilizer use in 2000. Express the year 2000 N fertilizer use as a percentage of N fertilizer use in 1960. 7% 15% 667% 67%
667%
How much more organic carbon would be saved annually by using reduced tillage? 70 kg/ha 120 kg/ha 7,000 g/ha 12,000 g/ha
70 kg/ha
Globally, approximately how many people are undernourished? 1 billion 1 trillion 800 million 1 million 800 thousand
800 million
You study corn and find it shows the same response as Arabidopsis plants. Which of the following did you observe? As less phosphate is available, corn shows an increased immune response. As less phosphate is available, corn shows a decreased immune response. Phosphate availability has an unknown link to immune response. Phosphate availability is not tied to the immune response.
??? not not tied
Which of the following soil horizons is most severely affected by erosion? B R A C
A
If this research proves correct, in the future crops could be given a probiotic to do what in order to use phosphate more effectively? Deactivate PHR1 and activate PHL1 Activate PHR1 and PHL1 Activate PHR1 and deactivate PHL1 Deactivate PHR1 and PHL1
Activate PHR1 and PHL1
Despite increased agricultural production by developed countries about 100 years ago, less developed countries continued to use traditional agricultural practices. Then, in the 1960s, the research of Dr. Norman Borlaug increased crop production by nearly 500% in Mexico and India by using __________. high yielding crops modern farm equipment disease resistant crops All of the above responses are correct.
All of the above responses are correct.
Which of the following is true of plants whose seeds are soaked in neonicotinoids? Only the pollen will be lethal to insects. All of the plant tissues will be lethal to insects. Only the leaves will be lethal to insects. Only the shoots will be lethal to insects.
All of the plant tissues will be lethal to insects.
Forested land in the Amazon basin is currently being cleared for agriculture, just as land in the Midwestern U.S. was cleared for agriculture in the 19th century. The growth of plants is influenced by soil fertility, the naturally-occurring concentration of plant nutrients in the soil. Which statement below do you think best describes the relative soil fertility levels in Amazonian soils and soils in the agricultural Midwest? Amazonian soils have higher fertility than Midwestern soils Amazonian soils have lower fertility than Midwestern soils Amazonian soils have roughly equal fertility as Midwestern soils
Amazonian soils have lower fertility than Midwestern soils
How could these data be best represented graphically? Line graph Scatter plot Bar graph
Bar Graph
Notice in the table that the energy consumed by the food retail and commercial food service component almost quadrupled from 1.05 quads in 2009 to 3.9 quads in 2016. What might be the reason(s) for this increase? Consumers are purchasing more processed and ready-to-eat foods, thus outsourcing much of the food prep to retail and wholesale grocery stores. Consumers are eating out more at food establishments that serve fast food but with a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients. Agricultural production has become more efficient--increase in yield per acre relative to energy input--due to precision agriculture practices that use GPS technology to carefully study field conditions. Packaging has become more light weight partly due to the use of plastic versus glass.
Consumers are purchasing more processed and ready-to-eat foods, thus outsourcing much of the food prep to retail and wholesale grocery stores. Consumers are eating out more at food establishments that serve fast food but with a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients.
Drag "True" or "False" to the end of each statement.
Energy use in agricultural production and transportation increased from 2009 to 2016. False Though energy used in household storage and preparation increased by 0.7 quads from 2009 to 2016, the percentage of the total energy consumption represented by household storage and preparation declined. True Energy used in food retail and commercial food service increased from 1.05 quads in 2009 to 3.9 quads in 2016. True Total energy consumed by the U.S. food system decreased by 3.6 quads from 2009 to 2016. False Between 2009 and 2016, energy use in the processing industry changed much more substantially than energy use in packaging materials changed during the same period. True As the food energy available increased from 1.4 quads to 1.75 quads between 2009 and 2016, the ratio of energy consumed by the food system per unit of available food energy also increased. True
You wish to have neonicotinoids banned from use in the U.S. Which of the following agencies in charge of that decision should you contact? Department of Health and Human Services Department of Agriculture Food and Drug Administration Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
According to this research, which of the following is true for Arabidopsis plants? Even in a phosphate-rich environment, microbes can entice plants to turn on the phosphate stress response. The phosphate stress response only occurs in phosphate rich soils. The phosphate stress response only occurs in phosphate poor soils. No phosphate stress response exists.
Even in a phosphate-rich environment, microbes can entice plants to turn on the phosphate stress response.
The way it is currently used, phosphate is a component of which of the following? Seeds Pesticides Irrigation water Fertilizers
Fertilizers
_________________ is any process whereby scientists directly manipulate an organism's genetic material in the laboratory by adding, deleting, or changing segments of its DNA. Transgenetic engineering. Organic agriculture Genetic engineering Polymerase chain reaction.
Genetic engineering
Which of the following revolutions came about as a response to our dramatically rising human population numbers? Industrial revolution Environmental revolution Green Revolution Agricultural revolution
Green Revolution
Demographers predict that global population will continue to increase. As population increases, which of the following statements represents future agricultural changes for maintaining an adequate food supply? Higher food production due to greater use of N fertilizer Higher agricultural land-to-population ratio Lower use of N fertilizer per unit of land Higher food production per unit of agricultural land
Higher food production per unit of agricultural land
Which of the following was a positive environmental aspect of the Flavr Savr tomato? It has a better appearance. It is grown using less chemicals because it is less likely to rot. It has a better taste. It is available at a lower cost to the consumer. It could be shipped further.
It is grown using less chemicals because it is less likely to rot.
Predict how the results of this experiment might vary if repeated in a less mountainous region with lower annual rainfall. A greater percentage difference in soil loss between conventional and reduced tillage Lower soil loss for both conventional and reduced tillage treatments Higher soil loss for both conventional and reduced tillage treatments Lower soil loss for conventional tillage but high soil loss for reduced tillage
Lower soil loss for both conventional and reduced tillage treatments
Which of the following is most likely to push for less restrictions on the use of neonicotinoids? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Syngenta European Food Safety Authority European Commission
Syngenta
Which of the following can be inferred from the figure? The production of beef and pork is resource-intensive. Grain is a renewable resource. We cannot survive without eating the foods pictured. Cows are a keystone species. The same grain used to feed chickens and cows could be fed to many humans instead.
The production of beef and pork is resource-intensive.
Which of the following contributed to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s? The use of GM crops. The removal of native prairie plants. Deforestation of native forests in order to plant crops. Massive industrial agriculture operations disturbed the soil with large, petroleum-powered equipment.
The removal of native prairie plants.
You wish to study the symbiotic relationship between certain bacteria and plants related to phosphate availability. Which of the following would be best for you to study? The shoot/air interface The soil/root interface The leaf/air interface The shoot/soil interface
The soil/root interface
Why have most bioengineered crops been modified for "resistance" traits? No technology exists to engineer other traits successfully. These traits have the economic potential to save on production costs. Crops with these traits taste better. These are the only traits proven safe for the environment. These are the only traits proven safe for human health.
These traits have the economic potential to save on production costs.
Are neonicotinoids currently used in the United States? Yes. Yes, but only in areas more than 50 miles from an apiary. Yes, but only on non-flowering plants. No.
Yes.
Which of the following would be considered a monoculture? a two-acre field planted with a variety of foods intended to support several families for the year a 100-acre field that is planted with a variety of crops for use in feeding farm animals a garden plot planted with 10 tomato plants a 100-acre field, all of which is planted with the same variety of corn
a 100-acre field, all of which is planted with the same variety of corn
Raising which of the following requires the most land and water? pigs beef cattle chickens goats dairy cattle
beef cattle
Managing crop competitors and pests has been challenging to agronomists for centuries. One approach, integrated pest management, ________. combines a variety of pesticides to combat the pest uses only natural pesticides uses no pesticides of any kind uses only synthetic chemical pesticides combines synthetic chemical pesticides with biocontrol techniques
combines synthetic chemical pesticides with biocontrol techniques
Which process not only controls erosion, but can also help to replenish soil nutrients? contour farming shelterbelts crop rotation drip irrigation
crop rotation
In 1960 the ratio of food production to N fertilizer use was 40:15 or 2.7:1. By 2000 the ratio was 1:1. The efficiency of N use in agriculture _____. stayed the same—the amount of food produced with a unit of N fertilizer has stayed the same over time decreased—over time we have produced less food with the same amount of N fertilizer increased—over time we have produced more food with the same amount of N fertilizer there is not enough data to determine the answer.
decreased—over time we have produced less food with the same amount of N fertilizer
Place the following list of steps into the correct sequence for creating a genetically modified organism. a) The gene is transferred to the target organism. b) The bacteria containing the recombinant DNA are allowed to reproduce. c) The gene of interest is inserted into a plasmid. d) A plasmid is isolated from a strain of bacteria. e) The plasmid containing the recombinant DNA is inserted into bacteria. f) The gene of interest is isolated from the cell of an organism. fdabce dfceba fdcdab decfab abcdfe
dfceba
The results of overapplying fertilizer can include ________. crops spreading rapidly into nearby areas very large fruits and vegetables very fertile soils in future years eutrophication in nearby waterways large crop yields per acre
eutrophication in nearby waterways
Since 1960, pesticide use has increased ________ worldwide. threefold fourfold twofold fivefold sixfold
fourfold
During the past half-century, global food production has ________ world population growth. surpassed by several orders of magnitude stayed about even with fallen to critical levels compared to fallen behind grown at a faster rate than
grown at a faster rate than
Industrial agriculture ________. has permanently improved soils, providing more food from less space has had no impact on society has rapidly deteriorated soils, requiring continuous conversion of new areas to cropland was replaced by more modern farming practices during the Green Revolution has increased our ability to obtain more food from the same area
has increased our ability to obtain more food from the same area
Green Revolution techniques ________. focus on preserving biodiversity focus on sustainability have contributed to an increased diversity of foods in the human diet focus on organic farming have increased crop yields but may not be sustainable
have increased crop yields but may not be sustainable
When decomposers break down organic molecules, a dark crumbly organic material called __________ that improves soil quality is formed. silt guacamole humus topsoil
humus
As the global human population continues to rise, increased food production will most likely come from __________. increases in the amount of land used for agricultural production decreased demand for food increased productivity of the land already used for agriculture other planets
increased productivity of the land already used for agriculture
Which of the following agricultural systems would be most susceptible to diseases or pests? polycultures monocultures rangeland used for grazing livestock traditional farms
monocultures
Oasis and irrigated agriculture are found most often __________. in the south along the coasts in the open desert near larger cities along with dry farming
near larger cities
The Nile River supports significant amounts of __________. no agriculture at all dry farming oasis and irrigated agriculture fruit cultivation All of the listed responses are correct.
oasis and irrigated agriculture
The midlatitude steppe climate supports mostly which type of agriculture? pastoral nomadism oasis and irrigated agriculture some other kind of agriculture not listed Midlatitude steppe does not support any kind of agriculture. dry farming
pastoral nomadism
What type of agriculture is found in most of this region? dry farming little or no agriculture pastoral nomadism oasis and irrigated agriculture None of the listed responses is correct.
pastoral nomadism
Over time, pesticides become less effective. This is because __________. pests can evolve defenses against pesticides federal regulations require that lower-strength pesticides be used farmers decrease the amount of application because of the high cost of product transgenic crops have been introduced
pests can evolve defenses against pesticides
Seed banks are important for ________. agricultural investments in developing countries providing farmers with the current year's genetically modified crops protecting genetic diversity providing loans to developing countries to promote organic agriculture protecting monoculture productivity
protecting genetic diversity
Which of the following is least likely to be directly affected by neonicotinoids? grasshopper monarch butterfly earthworm rabbit
rabbit
Leaching ________. removes water-soluble nutrients from topsoil adds nutrients to soil naturally is a common agricultural practice to improve soil is caused by movement of water upward through soil from the water table can help plant growth only if done properly
removes water-soluble nutrients from topsoil
Which of the following can be caused by irrigation of cropland? terracing salinization erosion of bedrock recombination of genes
salinization
To make organic fertilizer by composting, you should not include ________. shredded plastic and metals wood chips dead leaves, weeds crop residues animal manures
shredded plastic and metals
The Conservation Reserve Program pays farmers to ________. stop cultivating highly erodible land grow cattle feed instead of commercial crops grow native crops such as corn and beans stop growing tobacco grow soybeans and other kinds of harvestable groundcover
stop cultivating highly erodible land
Organic agriculture implies farming techniques that use NO __________. fertilizers synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides soil water
synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides
The use of biocontrol runs the risk of __________. the control agent breeding with the species needing to be controlled. the control agent completely eradicating the target species genes from the control agent escaping into wild populations the control agent negatively impacting other species besides the species needing to be controlled
the control agent negatively impacting other species besides the species needing to be controlled
About 100 years ago, agricultural production in the United States tripled due to __________. the shift from wheat and corn crops to rice crops the shift from raising crops on land to raising crops in water the invention of fertilizers and use of more modern machinery a tremendous increase in the amount of land used for agriculture
the invention of fertilizers and use of more modern machinery
Calculate the ratio of the agricultural land index to the population index for 1960 and compare it to the ratio for 2000. The ratios suggest that _____. there is no relationship between agricultural land and population the per capita demand on agricultural land has decreased over time the per capita demand on agricultural land has stayed the same over time the per capita demand on agricultural land has increased over time
the per capita demand on agricultural land has increased over time
Swidden agriculture is necessary in rainforests for all of the following reasons EXCEPT __________. rainforest plants tend to hold the nutrients in rainforests rather than the soil excess rain in the rainforest tends to allow for leaching of nutrients to the lower layers of soil the warm temperature in the rainforest causes decomposition to occur quickly the soil of rainforests is not suitable for forest growth
the soil of rainforests is not suitable for forest growth
Which climate supports little or no agriculture? mediterranean summer--dry complex mountain midlatitude steppe tropical and subtropical desert tropical and subtropical steppe
tropical and subtropical desert
Factors involved in soil formation include ________. nitrogen-fixing bacteria and grazing by herbivores erosion, level terrain, and the absence of rooted vegetation seasonal changes in the tides tropical climate, acid precipitation, and frequent wildfires weathering of parent material and the addition of organic material
weathering of parent material and the addition of organic material
No-till farming would be most beneficial for farmers ________. using contour strip cropping whose cropland is in the Conservation Reserve Program with steeply sloped fields who plant a cash crop every third year who typically experience minimal soil erosion
with steeply sloped fields
Drag the labels to their appropriate locations on the graph.
y-axis (0-4.5): energy per year (quads) bars on x-axis (tallest to shortest): - household storage and preparation - food retail and commercial food service - processing industry - agricultural production - packaging material - transportation