How environmental factors influence agricultural yields
There are a number of environmental factors that impact the agricultural yield of a crop. They are generally biotic and abiotic in nature. Some biotic factors can slow the growth of crops while others can improve the growth of crops. For example, Bees are essential in the pollination of crops in Australia. Without these, we would rely solely on birds and humans to pollinate the crops we need to survive. Some species eat crops on a large scale such as pigs and rabbits. These are usually considered as pests. Similarly, abiotic factors can also affect the growth of crops. Factors such as light, water, oxygen and soil minerals can affect the product when it is time to harvest. Some diseases such as Downey mildew and Yellow Spot Virus can affect a plants ability to photosynthesis. To the farmer, fungi and viruses are viewed as a scourge. However, in working with the natural processes within biomes, we must acknowledge that all part of the biome have a role to play, even Downey Mildew.
Questions
- Why are Bees so important to food production?
- List 4 pests that impact the production of food? Two are in the text above.
- List 2 diseases that can impact the production of food?
- Provide an example of how an abiotic factor can impact on the production of food.
Temperature
Cauliflower
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All crops require basic needs such a sunlight, water the nutrients to conduct photosynthesis. But they also have their own unique temperature requirements. Some crops grow better in mild temperate climates while others grow well in tropical climates. It is really important that the right crop is grown in the right climatic location. For example, cauliflower is grown where temperatures are mild and frosts are light. In Australia, Cauliflower is grown from late autumn until early spring where the climate is temperate. Understanding the importance of the relationship between temperature and a crop requirements will affect the yield.
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Questions
Draw a table in your book like this one. Research the best temperatures for each crop to get the best yield.
Crop |
Temperature Requirements |
Tomatoes |
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Watermelon |
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Potatoes |
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Apples |
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Add 2 others of your choice |
Value |
Water Availability
What factors determine the availability of water in any given area? The most obvious factor that will determine the availability of water is precipitation. There is a fine balance between the amount of water a crop requires and achieving sustainable yields. Too much precipitation can lead to erosion, and plant diseases while too little precipitation can cause plants to die prematurely.
Civilisations have become experts at altering environments to ensure that crops receive adequate water to improve yields. Some examples of this alteration include irrigation and construction of dams. Despite these alterations, there are still some limitations to the availability of water in some regions in the world. For example, Australia is a relatively flat continent. Because of this, the construction of dams is often not possible due to the lack of substantial mountainous regions. Similarly, much of inland Australia is simply too dry for any crop or fibre production.
Civilisations have become experts at altering environments to ensure that crops receive adequate water to improve yields. Some examples of this alteration include irrigation and construction of dams. Despite these alterations, there are still some limitations to the availability of water in some regions in the world. For example, Australia is a relatively flat continent. Because of this, the construction of dams is often not possible due to the lack of substantial mountainous regions. Similarly, much of inland Australia is simply too dry for any crop or fibre production.
Questions
- Explain the fine balance of providing water to crops.
- Explain 3 methods humans have used to control water access to crops.
Click the button below. You will need to click 'all cropland' in the top left hand corner of the map for the first few questions. Use the map to answer the following statements as either true or false. Rewrite all statements into your workbook to make them true.
Use this latitude helper if you are unsure of the location of the equator.
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True/ False
True/ False True/ False True/ False True/ False True/ False True/ False True/ False True/ False True/ False True/ False |
Soil
Rich Dark Brown Soil
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Soil is often a factor that is overlooked by most people in determining crop yields. Soil provides the nutrients that plants need for growth. Therefore, it also provides food for animals that rely on these plants. From an historical point of view, settlement in Australia was largely determined by the fertility of soils. It has determined where agriculture and settlement has taken place in Australia. Our bodies are full of the nutrients that were once in our soils. Some soils have more nutrients in them than others. The amount of nutrients in our soils is largely determined by the amount of biomass (the volume of living matter) that exists, or existed in the past, in any one location. Usually, these regions were made up of grasslands and tall timber forests. Soils that are high in nutrients are usually dark brown in colour. Soils that are usually low in nutrients are grey, red and even yellow.
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Texture of Soils
While watching the video 'Types of Soils', complete the task sheet attached below the video.
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This Biome produces Oysters
Have you ever eaten an oyster? Do you know how they're farmed?
What makes Tasmania a good place to farm oysters? Do some research and find out more about how oyster farmers manage their environments. What kind of structures do they build in the water? How long do oysters take to grow? Where else in Australia are oysters farmed? And how important is a healthy environment to oyster farmers?
What makes Tasmania a good place to farm oysters? Do some research and find out more about how oyster farmers manage their environments. What kind of structures do they build in the water? How long do oysters take to grow? Where else in Australia are oysters farmed? And how important is a healthy environment to oyster farmers?