Unit 5 FRQ: Energy-Based Expenses

f) a poultry farmer is considering installing a wind turbine at the farm to help reduce the farm's energy-based expenses. Considering the energy-based expenses shown in the graph, EXPLAIN why this would or would not be an effective long-term approach for reducing energy costs.

According to the graph, more than half the energy based expenses at the from are from electricity. With the use of wind turbines, although it may be a higher initial cost, it would decrease the electricity bill every month, making it more profitable over time.

d) DESCRIBE one environmental problem associated with the energy-based expense that is the second highest in the production of cotton and rice

Although fertilizer can be helpful in reducing pests, it can also create new ones. When excessive fertilizers are added, this can cause weeds to grow. This leads to stubborn weeds being in competition with the original crop and try to kill it.

c) Based on the information in the graph, EXPLAIN why there is a difference in fertilizer costs between hog production and corn farming

Because hogs are able to produce manure, farmers can use that as a fertilizer to replace synthetic fertilizer. Since corn can't do that, more synthetic fertilizer must be used as shown in the graph

g) Homeowners can reduce their ecological footprint through conservation landscaping techniques. DESCRIBE how conservation landscaping techniques can reduce outdoor watering costs

Planting native or drought resistant plants would help reduce watering costs. This is because these plants are more likely to be accustomed to the local or dry climate, therefore not needing as much water. This would decrease the water given to them, reducing cost.

a) Based on the information in the graph, IDENTIFY the category of crops that has the highest average total energy-based expenses

The categories are cotton and rice

j) The farmer plans to keep the hogs outside and lives in climate in which the average summer temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius. If the farmer feeds the hogs 2,500 grams of food per day, EXPLAIN why the farmer will not see maximum lean growth rate in the hogs.

The graph shows that the hogs typically do not eat as much in higher temperatures; because of the warmer weather at 30 degrees, the hogs are less likely to eat, therefore not gain weight or reach their maximum lean growth weight

e) a corn farmer wanting to decrease the ecological footprint of the operation decides to shift from producing a monoculture of corn to producing a polyculture of corn, soybeans, and wheat. EXPLAIN how this change in business practice will affect the ecological footprint of the farm

When polycultures are used in farms like crops being rotated, the soil is healthier and receives more nutrients. Because of its health, it supports growing crops more, which allows less fertilizer to be used, decreasing ecological footprint.

i) IDENTIFY one variable not mentioned in the description above that could affect the results of the investigation

one variable would be the amount of water given to the hogs

b) Based on the information in the graph, IDENTIFY the category with the greatest energy-based expense in poultry farming

the category with the greatest energy-based expense in poultry farming is electricity

h) IDENTIFY the independent variable for the investigation

the independent variable is temperature