Project WRITE

XI: Introduction to Agriculture

Course Pack

Project Write XI: Introduction to Agriculture

Module 2
Module No. & Title Module 2: Introduction to Agriculture and the Ecosystem
 Module Overview Good day! Welcome to module 2 entitled Introduction to
Agriculture and the Ecosystem. In this module, you will be able to
learn the relationship of Agriculture and environment. So, fasten
your seatbelt and get ready!

Module At the end of this module, you are expected to distinguish the
Objectives/Outcomes relationship of agriculture and the environment.

Lessons in the module Lesson 1: Agriculture and the Environment

Lesson 2: Agriculture and the Society

Module 2: Introduction to Agriculture and the Ecosystem

Lesson 1: Agriculture and the Environment.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to distinguish the relationship of agriculture and
environment.
Time Frame: 1-2 hours

Introduction
Welcome to module 2 lesson 1 entitled: Agriculture and the Environment. In this lesson you
will be able to appreciate the role of agriculture in the environment. You will learn the positive and
negative effects of agriculture in the environment. Just fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the rest of the
lesson.

EnviroNet
Make a research in the internet about the positive and negative impacts of agriculture in the
environment. Cite a phenomenon or disaster that may be caused by agriculture.

Analysis
If you are to choose between Agricultural development and Environmental Protection, what would
you choose and why?

Abstraction
Agriculture places a serious burden on the environment in the process of providing humanity with
food and fibers. It is the largest consumer of water and the main source of nitrate pollution of
groundwater and surface water, as well as the principal source of ammonia pollution. It is a major
contributor to the phosphate pollution of waterways (OECD, 2001) and to the release of the
powerful greenhouse gases (GHGs) methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere (IPCC, 2001).
Increasingly, however, it is recognized that agriculture and forestry can also have positive
externalities such as the provision of environmental services and amenities, for example through
water storage and purification, carbon sequestration and the maintenance of rural landscapes.

Project Write XI: Introduction to Agriculture

Effects generated by agricultural activity are both beneficial and adverse. Many of the
adverse external effects are associated with the unintended (or uncompensated) outputs of
agriculture.
Effects of Agriculture in the Environment
Two categories of process about agricultural activities. The first comprises the
consequences of the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in farming, particularly in
its more developed or intensive form. The second concerns opportunity costs associated
with land use conversion into agriculture. We may classify impacts by the environmental
medium affected.
(a) Water Pollution
Run-off of agricultural chemicals and organic manures from agricultural lands
appears to be a leading form of non-point source pollution. Many developing economies
are experiencing a rapidly growing use of pesticides, herbicides and inorganic fertilizers
in agriculture. Pesticides are one foundation of the remarkable production hikes over the
past few decades, continue to underpin many national development strategies in
developing countries. Yet research suggests that the benefits of pesticides have been
exaggerated and that they pose substantial dangers both to the environment and to human
health.

(b) Air Pollution

Agricultural activity is also a large contributor to air pollution. Principal pathways
include the loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere via denitrification and volatilization. These
are important contributors to acidification (Hidy, 1995; OECD, 1995) and have been
estimated, for example, to be the major source of acidification substances. Agriculture is
also a large source of greenhouse gas emissions. With the inclusion of land use changes –
particularly conversion of forests to agriculture – and methane emissions from livestock and
wet rice cultivation (which may be quantitatively more important than forest conversion),
Watson et al (1996) estimate that around 20% of annual GHG emissions are attributable to
agriculture.
(c) Loss of biological diversity
Land conversion, expansion of the agricultural frontier, and agricultural
specialization play contributory roles in biodiversity loss. In the Philippines, they are
practicing mono-cropping.
Application
Browse in “Youtube”, look for agriculture farms that practice care for the environment.
Make a reflection paper for that. Submit this before midterm.
Closure
Congratulations! You are done with module 2 Lesson 1. Just keep on learning and enjoy the
rest of the topics. Have a great day everyone.

Project Write XI: Introduction to Agriculture