Environmental Science

Livestock and Crop Farming

Human history took a huge leap forward when humanity shifted its mode of production from hunting and gathering to agriculture . Agriculture has allowed humanity to go beyond subsistence into surplus production triggering the development of communities , crafts and civilization Agriculture marked man 's entry into shaping and forming the Earth according to his will for his use . Today , agriculture still plays a crucial role in feeding the world 's population . Whether in the form of farming or animal domestication , agriculture is a major activity undertaken in almost

all nations of the earth , save for the geographically small nations like the Vatican . Even though agriculture only accounts for 4 of the world 's combined GDP , its importance in providing sustenance to the population is undeniable . Agriculture employs 40 .7 of the world 's population , making it the biggest human activity on the planet . It is also the primary economic activity of the poorest people of the planet

The two main activities in agriculture are farming and livestock production . This shall deal with the various environmental impacts of these two activities

Mechanization - The mechanization of agriculture is one of the elements that enabled the high yield of agricultural production in industrialized societies . Mechanization of farming includes the use of machinery for the tilling of the land , the sowing of seeds and germs , the harvest of crops and the milling of grains . The use of mechanization allows for greater yield output and the farming of larger tracts of land in exchange of additional energy expenditure

Mechanical livestock production is embodied in the industrial raising of livestock in animal farms . However , these animal farms produce additional problems due to the large concentration of waste and pollutants in a small location . Animal rights advocates also decry animal farms due to their perceived inhumane treatment of livestock

Land Use - In 2002 , a used for crops . This pales in comparison to land used for grazing which of the livestock is a leading cause of deforestation . Seventy percent of previously forested land in the Amazon has been converted to grazing land

Chemical Use - Chemicals are used in agriculture for three main reasons pest management , nutrient management and soil management . Additionally livestock also consume antibiotics and other health management treatments . Combined livestock and feed crop production in the USA are responsible for 37 of pesticide use and 50 of the antibiotic use

Water Use - Agriculture is the biggest user of freshwater in the United States , accounting for 87 of annual freshwater consumption . Livestock directly use only 1 .3 of that water . However , livestock consumption is greater when the amount of water needed for feed production is taken to consideration . A kilogram of potatoes uses up 500 liters in its production , wheat is much thirstier at 900 liters per kilogram . These all pale to the amount of water needed to produce one kilogram of beef - 100 ,000 liters of water

Pollution and Contamination - Pollution from farming comes from the use of various pesticides , herbicides and...