Environmental aspects of Agriculture Food security Biodiversity X Food security Biodiversity XIntensive agriculture + and - Extensive agriculture + and - Biodiversity Biodiversity Food security Agriculture x Agro-ecosystem - overview Agriculture (economy view) - the primary sector of the economy - providing food and materials for production Agriculture x Agro-ecosystem Agriculture (economy view) - the primary sector of the economy - providing food and materials for production Agroecosystem (ecological view) - specific type of planetary ecosystems - functional unity of economically important organisms and environment - narrower view - field; wider view - river basin, landscape, region - originally, the most productive ecosystems Importance of Agriculture Productive function - foodstuffs, industrial raw materials (textile and the leather industry, fats ...), and energy Importance of Agriculture Productive function - foodstuffs, industrial raw materials (textile and the leather industry, fats ...), and energy Non-productive functions - creation and maintenance of the typical cultural landscape - Genius loci - maintaining functioning agroecosystems with specific biodiversity - self-supply of the region with food, employment - the environment of people and other organisms conservation of rural settlements, recreation Coubine Othon 1883 - 1969 Krajina s obilným polem Václav Špála U Berounky Van Gogh Landscape under a stormy sky Lack of food - corresponds with population growth, but necessarily? 1798 T. R. Malthus - An Essay on the Principle of Population - warning against food shortages in the future "human population grows exponentially, food production only linearly" - in the history, frequent famines that limited the growth of population Lack of food - corresponds with population growth, but necessarily? 1798 T. R. Malthus - An Essay on the Principle of Population - warning against food shortages in the future "human population grows exponentially, food production only linearly" - in the history, frequent famines that limited the growth of population 1845-1850 - Irish famine - 1,000,000 victims, many others emigrated - the primary source of food for the poor - potatoes - the potato mold destroyed the crop - lack of food + loss of land (they did not pay the rent) - the spread of cholera and typhoid exacerbated the destruction of the population Lack of food - corresponds with population growth, but necessarily? 1798 T. R. Malthus - An Essay on the Principle of Population - warning against food shortages in the future "human population grows exponentially, food production only linearly" - in the history, frequent famines that limited the growth of population 1845-1850 - Irish famine - 1,000,000 victims, many others emigrated - the primary source of food for the poor - potatoes - the potato mold destroyed the crop - lack of food + loss of land (they did not pay the rent) - the spread of cholera and typhoid exacerbated the destruction of the population BUT - there was enough food in Ireland - corn, wheat, oats! - the were sold to the UK at a much higher price than poor farmers could afford, according to rational calculations The Almighty, indeed, sent the potato blight, but the English created the Famine. John Mitchel Lack of food – causes Bengal Famine 1943 1-4,000,000 Victims - Why? Lack of food – causes Bengal Famine 1943 1-4,000,000 Victims - Why? - there was a crop failure in Bengal, but this is a periodic phenomenon - however, the war was raging (GB x J) and it was necessary to supply cities (soldiers) first - grain prices have risen significantly - poor people could not afford it Ukrainian famine (1932-1933) 2.7-7 000 000 victims - Why? Chinese famine (1959-1961) 20-40,000,000 Victims - Why? Ethiopian famine (1984) - 1,000,000 Victims - Why? Lack of food – causes Ukrainian famine (1932-1933) 2.7-7 000 000 victims - Why? (Stalin) Chinese famine (1959-1961) 20-40,000,000 Victims - Why? (Mao Ce Tung) Ethiopian famine (1984) - 1,000,000 Victims - Why? (Haile Mariam) Lack of food – causes Ukrainian famine (1932-1933) 2.7-7 000 000 victims - Why? (Stalin) Chinese famine (1959-1961) 20-40,000,000 Victims - Why? (Mao Ce Tung) Ethiopian famine (1984) - 1,000,000 Victims - Why? (Haile Mariam) Most of the great famines in the 20th century were the result of political decisions in undemocratic dictatorships! Lack of food – causes Green Revolution - after WW2 population in SE Asia – ↓ mortality = ↑ population - after Bengal famine - introduction of new varieties + industrialization Objective: to significantly increase agricultural production - 60s - the beginning of the Green Revolution in India - introduction of HYV crops - eg drought resistant rice IR8 with yield 5 t / ha (x 1.5 t / ha earlier), moreover grown for a shorter time → possible two harvests per season - modern agricultural machinery (plows, tractors, harvesters ...) ↑ harvest = ↑ demand for soil fertility and water resources Green Revolution – industrialization of agricutlure - after WW2 population in SE Asia – ↓ mortality = ↑ population - after Bengal famine - introduction of new varieties + industrialization Objective: to significantly increase agricultural production - 60s - the beginning of the Green Revolution in India - introduction of HYV crops - eg drought resistant rice IR8 with yield 5 t / ha (x 1.5 t / ha earlier), moreover grown for a shorter time → possible two harvests per season - modern agricultural machinery (plows, tractors, harvesters ...) ↑ harvest = ↑ demand for soil fertility and water resources Industrial (intensive) agriculture Pros - high production = food security! Industrial (intensive) agriculture Pros - high production = food security! - less land use! Global consequences of land use Characteristics of intensive agriculture Agrochemicals - use of mineral fertilizers (N, P, K) - excessive use of synthetic pesticides - production, distribution and application of agrochemicals, storage and liquidation of stocks Meet production - livestock breeding (Baraka movie) - breeding, transport, slaughter (unnatural conditions, stress, abuse) - use of industrial feedstuff - controlled reproduction, one-sided breeding Characteristics of intens. agriculture Food storage - reduction of direct collection → transport distances are increasing → the need for long durability → chemical treatment, cooling Characteristics of intens. agriculture Food storage - reduction of direct collection → transport distances are increasing → the need for long durability → chemical treatment, cooling - from the place of production to an American consumer plate ~ 2400 km; CZ? - transport as a whole ~ 11% of CO2 emissions from total food production (USA) Characteristics of intens. agriculture EROEI – energy return on energy invested - industrialization of agriculture decreases EROEI - because of increasing amount of auxiliary energy Auxiliary energy (AE) - all E invested in the agri. production except of natural E (sun) Characteristics of intens. agriculture EROEI – energy return on energy invested - industrialization of agriculture decreases EROEI - because of increasing amount of auxiliary energy Auxiliary energy (AE) - all E invested in the agri. production except of natural E (sun) AE in crop production - agrochem. 46%, fossil E 22%, machines 13%, seeds 10%, work 9% ↑ share of AE in agrochemicals. given by high E intensity of N fertilizers - 80 GJ / t (P fertilizers 6 times less, K fertilizers 9 times less) - N fertilizers highest consumption - the most demanding for AE is sugar beet: 40 GJ/ha, alfalfa: 13 GJ/ha - the largest E output - sugar beet: 214 GJ/ha, alfalfa 107 GJ/ha Characteristics of intens. agriculture EROEI – energy return on energy invested - industrialization of agriculture decreases EROEI! - increasing amount of additional energy Auxiliary energy (AE) - all E invested in the agri. production except of natural E (sun) AE in crop production - agrochem. 46%, fossil E 22%, machines 13%, seeds 10%, work 9% ↑ share of AE in agrochemicals. given by high E intensity of N fertilizers - 80 GJ / t (P fertilizers 6 times less, K fertilizers 9 times less) - N fertilizers highest consumption - the most demanding for AE is sugar beet: 40 GJ/ha, alfalfa: 13 GJ/ha - the largest E output - sugar beet: 214 GJ/ha, alfalfa 107 GJ/ha E balance - specific consumption per GJ produced: lucerne 0.12, sugar beet 0.19, potatoes 0.43, meat 0.9 = per 1 GJ DE there are 1,1 GJ livestock products = EROEI Negative aspects of intensive agriculture Social - marginalization of agriculture as a part of economy (belongs to the groups with the lowest life-standard ) - now - circa 4% of the population; circa 3% of GDP - before 1940 - 35% of the population (product. age), the strongest political party in Czechoslovakia Negative aspects of intensive agriculture Social - marginalization of agriculture as a part of economy (belongs to the groups with the lowest life-standard ) - now - circa 4% of the population; circa3% of GDP - before 1940 - 35% of the population (product. age), the strongest political party in Czechoslovakia Economical - high state subsidy (EU) - concentration of sales into large chains → dependence of private households on agro-concerns, pressure to increase revenues - exports to world markets are growing - subsidies - self-insufficiency Negative aspects of intensive agriculture Social - marginalization of agriculture as a part of economy (belongs to the groups with the lowest life-standard ) - now - circa 4% of the population; circa3% of GDP - before 1940 - 35% of the population (product. age), the strongest political party in Czechoslovakia Economical - high state subsidy (EU) - concentration of sales into large chains → dependence of private households on agro-concerns, pressure to increase revenues - exports to world markets are growing - subsidies - self-insufficiency Ethical - poor handling with animals - intensive use of resources (v, p) at the expense of other ecosystems. Environmental and Health - globally, the intensity of non-renewables use increases - soil, water and crop contamination, reduced soil fertility, erosion - reducing biodiversity, increasing pest and disease resistance Negative aspects of intensive agriculture Environmental and Health - globally, the intensity of non-renewables use increases - soil, water and crop contamination, reduced soil fertility, erosion - reducing biodiversity, increasing pest and disease resistance - landscape damage Negative aspects of intensive agriculture X Sustainable agriculture „A type of agricultural production that meets the needs of the present and does not limit the needs of future generations“ (OECD def.) - Protects the land used for agricultural production, water, genetic resources - It does not degrade the environment - A manageable, economically self-sufficient and socially acceptable system in practice Sustainable agriculture „A type of agricultural production that meets the needs of the present and does not limit the needs of future generations“ (OECD def.) - Protects the land used for agricultural production, water, genetic resources - It does not degrade the environment - A manageable, economically self-sufficient and socially acceptable system in practice Necessary aims to reach a sustainable agriculture 1) Higher diversity of flora and fauna on arable land and permanent grassland 2) Increased crop diversity. 3) Creating conditions leading to the protection of nonproductive ecosystems and wild organisms Biodiversity Food security Biodiversity Food security - Creating rural communities and traditions. - Economic stability of rural areas. - Protection of existing and planting of new habitats (shrubs, bands of shrubs or grasslands), forest edges, wet habitats, flowering bands. Sustainable agriculture Organic agriculture (farming) - alternative to industrial (intensive, conventional) agriculture - law 242/2000 Col. on Organic agriculture „A special type of farming that respects the environment and its constituents by restricting or prohibiting the use of substances and practices that burden and pollute the environment or increase the risk of contamination of the food chain, and that pay increased attention to the external manifestations and welfare of farmed animals.“ (Law 242/2000 Col.) Organic farming (agriculture) - alternative to industrial (intensive, conventional) agriculture - law 242/2000 Col. on Organic agriculture „A special type of farming that respects the environment and its constituents by restricting or prohibiting the use of substances and practices that burden and pollute the environment or increase the risk of contamination of the food chain, and that pay increased attention to the external manifestations and welfare of farmed animals.“ (Law 242/2000 Col.) 70’ – IFOAM International Federation of Organic Agriculture Organic farming in Czechia Rules of Organic Farming - without the use of agrochemicals, with the exception of some selected, more gentle inorganic substances (eg blue vitriol), and only in special circumstances - preservation of greenery (limits, chains, alleys) - measures against erosion, eg postponing plowing after the winter - exclude the cultivation of GM crops Rules of Organic Farming - without the use of agrochemicals, with the exception of some selected, more gentle inorganic substances (eg blue vitriol), and only in special circumstances - preservation of greenery (limits, chains, alleys) - measures against erosion, eg postponing plowing after the winter - exclude the cultivation of GM crops - space for lying, rest, stable with straw, range including grazing and natural food - the prohibition of caging and housing cattle and pigs on steel grates - ban on the addition of growth promoters, meat-and-bone meal, synthetic substances to feed, - hormonal synchronization of heat or embryo transfer The Green movement has done much good in raising awareness of the dangers of global warming, but it often falls into the trap of thinking that Mother Nature is always best. Its blanket opposition to GM food makes no sense. We have been genetically modifying our crops for millennia; current GM food presents no threat to health and could help solve nutritional deficiencies. It’s vital to step back from using antibiotics in farming, but many people would not be alive today if not for modern agriculture.