Title: The Potential Negative Effects Of Agriculture On The Environment, & The Sustainable Use Of Resources - Better Meets Reality
Headings: The Potential Negative Effects Of Agriculture On The Environment, & The Sustainable Use Of Resources
The Potential Negative Effects Of Agriculture On The Environment, & The Sustainable Use Of Resources
Summary – Environmental & Sustainable Use Of Resource Problems Resulting From Agriculture
Agriculture Impacts Many Different Aspects Of The Environment & Society
The Different Key Variables In Agriculture That Contribute To Environmental & Sustainability Issues
A Changing Climate & Greenhouse Gases
Deforestation & Land Use
Land Degradation, & Soil Degradation
Pollution – Water Pollution, Air Pollution, & Land Pollution
General Waste, & Waste Pollution
(Un) Sustainable Use Of Resources
Genetic Engineering & The Use Of GMOs In Agriculture
A Few Other Notes On Agriculture
Sources

Content: commercial agriculture is responsible for 32%; logging is responsible for 14%, and fuel wood removals make up 5%
– Read more in this guide about the causes, effects and potential solutions to deforestation
Land Degradation, & Soil Degradation
There’s many different types of land and soil degradation – but, physical and chemical degradation and contamination can be two broad categories
Intensive and unsustainable farming practices can degrade the land over time
Some examples of these practices might include overgrazing, harvesting that involves regularly disturbing and breaking up the soil, the use of agricultural chemicals that kills off beneficial soil microorganisms, not focussing on practices that preserve soil health, and more
Agriculture can cause a loss in soil quality and soil degradation
This can take many forms such as salting, waterlogging, compaction, pesticide contamination, decline in soil structure quality, loss of fertility, changes in soil acidity, alkalinity, salinity, and erosion (when the fertile topsoil is washed away)
This is a problem because soils hold the majority of the world’s biodiversity, and healthy soils are essential for food production and an adequate water supply. Soil degradation also impacts biological degradation, which affects the microbial community of the soil and can alter nutrient cycling, pest and disease control, and chemical transformation properties of the soil. – wikipedia.org
Irrigation can also cause problems with soil: Soil can become over irrigated and cause problems with yields and soil health
Over irrigation can cause deep drainage issues and salinity problems
Under irrigation can also cause soil salinity control issues
Irrigation with contaminated, high salt or unbalanced water can also cause soil health and crop damage issues
– wikipedia.org
Pollution – Water Pollution, Air Pollution, & Land Pollution
There’s many ways agriculture can cause pollution, such as: Agriculture is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the world – in particular nutrient pollution of nitrates and phosphates. Water pollution mainly occurs from the run off (from the rain which washes through the soil and into water sources like ground water and rivers) of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and even livestock manure and waste. Pesticide can also drift in the air and settle in nearby water sources. Air pollution from synthetic nitrogen fertilizers but also animal waste in agriculture emit ammonia gas, and there can be a secondary reaction in the air with oxides to create air pollution
Land pollution, and soil contamination comes from general agricultural waste, but also soil contamination can come from the heavy use of chemicals like pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
Pollution and contamination in agriculture can occur from sediments, nutrients, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, metals, salts, animal manure (bacteria and pathogens) and more
Poorly managed animal feeding operations, overgrazing, plowing, and improper, excessive, or badly timed use of pesticides or fertilizers are some activities that release these chemicals and substances
Tillage, fertilization, and pesticide application also releases ammonia, nitrate, phosphorus, and there are many other pesticides that affect air, water, and soil quality, as well as biodiversity. Agricultural chemicals can leave residue on food, can leach through ground soil and into freshwater reserves as well as the ocean, can be blown through the air, can transfer from one water source to another – and can basically spread via a wide range of sources and impact a wide range of organisms and environments.