Unit_5_Land_and_Water_Use_Review_-_Student_Copy.docx

TOPIC 5.1 The Tragedy of the Commons ENDURING UNDERSTANDING EIN-2 When humans use natural resources, they alter natural systems. LEARNING OBJECTIVE EIN-2.A Explain the concept of the tragedy of the commons. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE EIN- 2.A.1 The tragedy of the commons suggests that individuals will use shared resources in their own self-interest rather than in keeping with the common good, thereby depleting the resources. Describe three ways this illustration can be an example of the Tragedy of the Commons - resources that are being used up or impacted by overuse. 1. 2. 3. Describe two solutions that would protect these common resources. In each category, briefly describe a resource being threatened by individual self interest: Agriculture: Crops Agriculture: Animals Suburban homes You personally Unit 5: Land and Water Use

TOPIC 5.2 Clearcutting ENDURING UNDERSTANDING EIN-2 When humans use natural resources, they alter natural systems. LEARNING OBJECTIVE EIN-2.B Describe the effect of clearcutting on forests. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE EIN- 2.B.1 Clearcutting can be economically advantageous but leads to soil erosion, increased soil and stream temperatures, and flooding. EIN-2.B.2 Forests contain trees that absorb pollutants and store carbon dioxide. The cutting and burning of trees releases carbon dioxide and contributes to climate change. In your own words, describe the method of clearcutting: Why is clearcutting the prefered method of harvesting trees? Explain how clearcutting leads to each of these environmental problems. Soil Erosion Increased Stream Temperatures Flooding Habitat Loss Climate Change Describe a better method of tree harvesting, and explain how it reduces the ecological impact of two of the above problems. Many Old Growth forests have been replaced by Tree Plantations. Explain why Tree Plantations are not as ecologically valuable as Old Growth Forests. Unit 5: Land and Water Use

TOPIC 5.3 The Green Revolution ENDURING UNDERSTANDING EIN-2 When humans use natural resources, they alter natural systems. LEARNING OBJECTIVE EIN-2.C Describe changes in agricultural practices. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE EIN- 2.C.1 The Green Revolution started a shift to new agricultural strategies and practices in order to increase food production, with both positive and negative results. Some of these strategies and methods are mechanization, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), fertilization, irrigation, and the use of pesticides. EIN-2.C.2 Mechanization of farming can increase profits and efficiency for farms. It can also increase reliance on fossil fuels. How has the Green Revolution served to prevent thousands of acres of natural land from being converted into farmland? Before the Green Revolution, most farms were small and family owned. Today, most farms are very large, and often owned by corporations. Explain how mechanization of farming led to this shift. Predict : How would the Green Revolution have been impacted if the price of fossil fuels were three times higher than they were? Explain your thoughts. Briefly explain how each of these agricultural practices increases crop yields. Irrigation pesticides fertilizer monocropping Genetically Modified Organisms have been developed to do a lot of amazing things. Name three GMO crops and what new thing they have, or can do. Unit 5: Land and Water Use

TOPIC 5.4 Impact of Agricultural Practices ENDURING UNDERSTANDING EIN-2 When humans use natural resources, they alter natural systems. LEARNING OBJECTIVE EIN- 2.D Describe agricultural practices that cause environmental damage. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE LOR-2.D.1 Agricultural practices that can cause environmental damage include tilling, slash-and- burn farming, and the use of fertilizers. Describe at least one pros and one cons of each type of fertilizer. Consider for both the environment, and the farmer. Pros Cons Organic Fertilizer Synthetic Fertilizer How can these fertilizers harm the environment? Explain why tilling and ploughing farmland leads to soil degradation. How does the practice of no-till farming prevent soil degradation? Describe one con for using no-till farming. Slash-and-burn: Burning plants generates nutrient rich ash that fertilizes the soil. A plot of land prepared using the slash and burn method will successfully produce crops for only about ____________ years. Why only that long? What must the farmer do then? Unit 5: Land and Water Use

TOPIC 5.5 Irrigation Methods ENDURING UNDERSTANDING EIN-2 When humans use natural resources, they alter natural systems. LEARNING OBJECTIVE EIN-2.E Describe different methods of irrigation ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE EIN- 2.E.1 The largest human use of freshwater is for irrigation (70%). EIN-2.E.2 Types of irrigation include drip irrigation, flood irrigation, furrow irrigation, and spray irrigation. LEARNING OBJECTIVE EIN-2.F Describe the benefits and drawbacks of different methods of irrigation. EIN-2.F.1 Waterlogging occurs when too much water is left to sit in the soil, which raises the water table of groundwater and inhibits plants’ ability to absorb oxygen through their roots. EIN-2.F.2 Furrow irrigation involves cutting furrows between crop rows and filling them with water. This system is inexpensive, but about 1/3 of the water is lost to evaporation and runoff. EIN-2.F.3 Flood irrigation involves flooding an agricultural field with water. This system sees about 20% of the water lost to evaporation and runoff. This can also lead to waterlogging of the soil. Look at the irrigation methods listed in EIN-2.E.2. Put these methods of irrigation in order: Most water lost Least water lost Circle the most expensive form of irrigation above. Create an illustration depicting each type of irrigation method: Furrow Irrigation Flood Irrigation Spray Irrigation Drip Irrigation Which type of irrigation method most often leads to waterlogging? Explain how irrigation leads to salinization of the soil over time.

EIN-2.F.4 Spray irrigation involves pumping ground water into spray nozzles across an agricultural field. This system is more efficient than flood and furrow irrigation, with only 1/4 or less of the water lost to evaporation or runoff. However, spray systems are more expensive than flood and furrow irrigation, and also requires energy to run. EIN-2.F.5 Drip irrigation uses perforated hoses to release small amounts of water to plant roots. This system is the most efficient, with only about 5% of water lost to evaporation and runoff. However, this system is expensive and so is not often used. EIN-2.F.6 Salinization occurs when the salts in groundwater remain in the soil after the water evaporates. Over time, salinization can make soil toxic to plants. EIN-2.F.7 Aquifers can be severely depleted if overused for agricultural irrigation, as has happened to the Ogallala Aquifer in the central United States. What is an aquifer? Where is the Ogallala Aquifer located? Draw and color it into the map below. Choose another color, and color the states that rely on the Ogallala Aquifer. What will the consequences be if the Ogallala Aquifer becomes depleted? Unit 5: Land and Water Use

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