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: Agricultural activity on one hand can contribute to climate change
But, a changing climate and weather patterns – a change in temperature, changing rainfall patterns, and so on – can change growing seasons, can change yields and production, can change crop suitability in a region, and more
Deforestation & Land Use
When land is cleared to make agriculture, or logging, palm oil plantations, and other uses – forests and vegetation can be cleared in some regions
Linked to a changing climate – specifically a change in land use, and the removal of tree and vegetation carbon sinks
Other effects of deforestation for agriculture might include: When trees are removed from forests, the soils tend to dry out because there is no longer shade, and there are not enough trees to assist in the water cycle by returning water vapor back to the environment. With no trees, landscapes that were once forests can potentially become barren deserts. The removal of trees also can also [cause] extreme fluctuations in temperature. – wikipedia.org
Subsistence farming is responsible for 48% of deforestation; 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: