New Changes and Emerging Disturbances to Agriculture

New Changes and Emerging Disturbances For along time smallholder agricultural systems has depended on inorganic fertilizers to supply the nitrogen required for crop growth as well as maintaining or slowing the rate of carbon loss. However, in other cases especially in Nitrogen limited environment of cereal based cropping systems (such as Mzimba district), fertilizer additions can actually enhance soil carbon loss (Snapp and Pound, 2008). The continued use of inorganic fertilizers has reduced soil carbon in the district and hence reduced the water holding capacity of the soil. Sustainable use of fertilizers is accompanied by the availability of residues in the soil however an emerging challenge is that recently there has been a competing demand for residues between crops and livestock. The clearing of land in search for settlement land and opening of new farming land has led to reduced forest areas and/or grasslands where livestock used to graze and consequently, they depend solely on crop residues. This competition redu ces the availability of residues to replenish soil organic matter and in the process the resilience of the agricultural systems. The outcome of the loss of resilience if increased reduced soil fertility and eventually low productivity. Another emerging change and irregular disturbance to the resilience of the agro ecosystem happening in the district is the issue of burning farming land in quest for reducing labour requirements when preparing the land forShow MoreRelatedThe Coastal And Marine Conservation And Management Approaches907 Words   |  4 Pagesrecognition of the coastal environment, existing and emerging threats and important economic value, implies that a feasible management approach is necessary. The difficulties met in planning and management starts at the very first step; identifying and prioritizing the problems (Scherer et al. 2014). Thus, the most feasible and effective approach encountered will be discussed posteriorly to the main threats; such as overfishing, pollution and climate change, in which incorporates ocean temperature riseRead MoreRaw Materials And The Natural Resources1439 Words   |  6 Pagesbeen occurred in the developing countries since these countries have needed to establish the basic infrastructure and thus the commodity demand has been raised rapidly. moreover, the fast development in the industrial sector and urbanization in the emerging economies had boosted the demand for commodities. furthermore,reducing interest between 2001 and 2004 and in 2008 led to reducing the stocked costs and therefore increasing the commodities demand. nevertheless, financialization of commodities marketsRead MoreWhat Are The Risks Of Climate Change And Global Warming? 1508 Words   |  7 Pages What are the risks of climate change and global warming? Type in your name EDRD plus your Section number Type in the Instructor’s name February 20, 2015 Abstract One of the largest problems fronting the world today is global warming. Many experts believe that our makings of carbon dioxide and extra greenhouse gases have a heating effect on the troposphere, and this can be very hazardous to human life. This research paper will explore the issue of global warming and propose ways toRead MoreThe Policy Process I : Background Briefing Essay1680 Words   |  7 PagesThe Policy Process I: Background Briefing The Effects of Climate Change †¢ Climate change has become a major challenging sustainable development issue of the twenty first century. It poses a significant and growing threat to human and public wellbeing, threatening food, water, health and national security. (Barrie Steffen, 2015, p. 2) †¢ Addressing the issue of climate change is more than the Artic ice and biodiversity. It is becoming increasingly clear that action on our emissions now may shapeRead MoreThe Impact Of Multiple Actions On The Environment2123 Words   |  9 Pages present or past activities, 2. Cumulative impacts can differ greatly in intensity, space and time, 3. Cumulative impacts may result from the interaction or accumulation of direct or indirect impacts, be additive to existing stressors, or trigger new impacts, 4. Cumulative impacts may build up over a period of time, or reach a point at which significant environmental, social and economic, either beneficial or detrimental, can occur Cumulative, direct and indirect impacts are often differentiatedRead MoreGrassland Ecosystems13817 Words   |  56 PagesResilience to Climate Change Jonathan L. Gelbard, Ph.D. Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF the world’s grasslands makes them one of the most vulnerable to global climate change of any terrestrial ecosystem (Sala et al., 2000; IPCC, 2001a). The low-stature of vegetation confers high light availability, leaving many grasslands naturally vulnerable to invasive species (Wagner, 1989), especially following disturbance (Hobbs and HuennekeRead MoreForest Ecosystem2734 Words   |  11 Pagesthat forest, with some forests consisting of many hundreds of species of trees while others consist of just a handful of species. Forests are constantly changing and progress through a series of succession stages during which species composition changes within the forest. Thus, making general statements about forest habitats can be difficult. Yet despite the variability of our planets forests, there are some basic structural characteristics that many forests share—characteristics that can helpRead MoreWhy Nigeria Should Be Able For Build A Prosperous Economy2438 Words   |  10 Pageseconomy during the past decade. Agriculture remains relevant as main source of employment. In the 1990’s, uncontrolled debt levels, debt restructuring, failure to meet payment deadlines and write-offs damaged Nigeria’s a reputation. Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999, after independence from Great Britain in 1960 was followed by years of military rule. (Nigerian Government, 2015). (+) Generous natural resources Nigeria has suitable climate and soil for agriculture and extensive oil and gas andRead MoreThe Rice Wheat Farming System3246 Words   |  13 PagesSYSTEM TO THE AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS AND WEATHER Rice wheat farming system: The Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) of south Asia is formed by the sedimentation of alluvial soil by the Indus and the Ganges rivers. The large fertile plain with flowing rivers favours agriculture. The rice-wheat farming system in the Indo-Gangetic plain occupies 13.5 M ha of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal (Timsina and Connor, 2001). In India, the rice-wheat farming system is the major source of food security as it produces more thanRead MoreProgression vs Conservation-From the View Point of Third World Countries3064 Words   |  13 PagesEnvironment Debate,† n.d.) The Industrial Revolution involved new manufacturing processes and the transition from manual hand production and handling methods into mechanized and automated with the help of machines. The birth of machines and factories give rise to mass production, which eventually led to various environmental threat. (â€Å"The Industrial Revolution and Its Impact on Our Environment | Eco Issues,† n.d.) Other significant change includes the drastic conversion from an agrarian and rural society