Food Supply
Overview
For most of human history, the size of the population was capped by how much food people could gather and hunt. Then came agriculture, and with it machines, fertilisers, pesticides and selective breeding, tools that let a single farmer feed hundreds of people. The result is a booming population, but also a heavy bill for the environment.
In this lesson you will describe the five main ways humans have boosted food production, then weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of two of the most important: large-scale monocultures of crops and intensive livestock production. The skill here is balanced evaluation, giving both sides and reaching a judgement, which is exactly what examiners reward.
Objectives
- Describe how humans have increased food production, limited to: (a) agricultural machinery to use larger areas of land and improve efficiency (b) chemical fertilisers to improve yields (c) insecticides to improve quality and yield (d) herbicides to reduce competition with weeds (e) selective breeding to improve production by crop plants and livestock
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of large-scale monocultures of crop plants
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of intensive livestock production
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Food Supply. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Herbicides increase crop yield by: A. killing insect pests B. supplying mineral ions C. killing weeds that compete with the crop D. breeding better plants Answer: C
- Chemical fertilisers improve yield mainly by: A. killing weeds B. supplying mineral ions such as nitrate C. warming the soil D. removing pests Answer: B
- A disadvantage of a large-scale monoculture is that: A. yields are low B. machinery cannot be used C. a single disease can destroy the whole crop D. it increases biodiversity Answer: C
- Intensive livestock production tends to increase yield because the animals: A. move about more B. lose less energy as heat and in movement C. eat less food D. are kept outdoors Answer: B
- Which method has raised food production by letting farmers work larger areas of land? A. insecticides B. agricultural machinery C. herbicides D. selective breeding Answer: B
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