Consequences of Agricultural Practices - AP Human Geography

Nutrient pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides run off into streams and groundwater.

Eutrophication. Excess nutrients cause algae blooms that deplete water oxygen.

Loss of arable land. Development permanently removes productive farmland from food production.

Deforestation. Burning vegetation clears land but destroys forest ecosystems.

Improves soil fertility. Alternating crops restores nutrients and breaks pest cycles.

Gene transfer to wild species. Modified genes can spread to related wild plants through pollination.

Overcultivation. Intensive farming on marginal land degrades soil until unusable.

Loss of small farms. Corporate farming consolidates land, displacing family operations.

Job displacement. Machines replace human labor, reducing rural employment opportunities.

Rural depopulation. Mechanization reduces need for farm workers, driving migration to cities.

Loss of biodiversity. Clearing forests removes habitats and reduces species variety.

Soil erosion. Too many animals remove vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water.

Irrigation. Water evaporation leaves salt deposits that harm plant growth.

Urban sprawl. Development expands outward from cities, consuming agricultural land.

Nutrient depletion. Growing single crops repeatedly exhausts specific soil nutrients.

Market distortion. Government payments artificially alter crop prices and production decisions.

Biodiversity loss. Chemicals intended for pests also harm beneficial insects and wildlife.

Buffer strips. Vegetation along waterways filters out chemicals before they reach streams.

Livestock farming. Cattle and other animals produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Decreased water table. Intensive irrigation and pumping lowers groundwater levels.

Reduced crop yields. Fewer bees and insects means less pollination for fruit and seed crops.

Increased pesticide use. Higher production demands require more chemical inputs and treatments.

Reduced agricultural productivity. Poor soil quality reduces crop yields and farm profitability.

Mulching. Organic cover reduces evaporation and protects soil moisture.

Reduction in carbon storage. Converting natural areas eliminates plants that absorb atmospheric carbon.

Respiratory problems. Chemical exposure can cause lung damage and breathing difficulties.

Water contamination. Improper disposal of manure and chemicals pollutes nearby water sources.

No-till farming. Avoiding soil disturbance keeps carbon stored in the ground.

Methane emissions. Flooded rice fields create conditions for methane-producing bacteria.