20,345
edits
Changes
no edit summary
: During '''food production''' in many locations [[fertiliser]]s are used which may be harmful to nearby [[habitat]]s. When [[nitrate]] [[fertiliser]]s are used they can be washed, by the rain, into local streams and rivers causing [[eutrophication]].
: '''Food production''' may also use [[pesticide]]s which include [[herbicide]]s which kill unwanted [[plant]]s and [[insecticide]]s which kill unwanted [[insect]]s. This further damages the local [[ecosystem]]s.
===Food Security===
: There are a number of challenges to ensure enough food can be produced to feed the [[human]] [[population]]:
: Changing diets - As countries increase in wealth the population can often afford more meat products. This means more land is needed for farming of sheep, goats, pigs and cows.
: Pests - As the transport of crops and animals across the world has increased, undesired [[species]] of [[animal]]s and [[plant]]s have also accidentally been introduced. These pests can destroy native crops or may be [[parasite]]s which harm domestic [[animal]]s.
: [[Pathogen]]s - As the transport of crops and animals across the world has increased [[pathogen]]s have also been spread damaging crops and domestic animals.
: Environmental Change - As [[climate]]s change due to [[Global Warming|global warming]] or due to other factors [[plant]]s may no longer be able to survive under the new environmental conditions.
===Improving Food Production===
: Genetic Modification - As [[Genetic Engineering|genetic engineering]] improves it has allowed new genetic variants of [[plant]]s which may be pest resistant, grow faster or bigger increasing yields.
: New agricultural techniques - Methods of farming are constantly improving, including new fertilisers, better land use and improved irrigation.