Question 7 of 11intermediate⚖️ EvaluateLong Answer5 marks

'Human-made ecosystems like agricultural fields are necessary, but they must be made sustainable.' Comment on the statement.

Correct Answer

Human-made ecosystems like agricultural fields are necessary because they provide food for the growing human population. Farming has been practiced for thousands of years and is essential for food security.

However, these ecosystems must be sustainable to protect the environment and ensure long-term productivity.

Unsustainable practices like overuse of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides reduce soil fertility by killing beneficial microorganisms and lowering organic matter (humus). Heavy irrigation and repeated ploughing disturb soil organisms like earthworms.

Monoculture (growing the same crop repeatedly) reduces crop diversity and affects pollinators. Pests develop resistance to pesticides, making them harder to control.

Sustainable farming practices include using organic manure, composting, crop rotation, reducing synthetic chemicals, and supporting natural predators of pests.

These methods protect soil health, maintain biodiversity, and ensure food security for future generations while meeting current food needs.

Exercise: Keep the curiosity alive | Q: 8 | (Page Page 19)
For More Understanding

Explanation

Section 12.9.2 discusses how farming became unsustainable after the Green Revolution due to overuse of synthetic chemicals, excessive groundwater extraction, and monoculture. The chapter explains that 'overusing pesticides and growing the same type of crop repeatedly on the same land leads to soil degradation.' It also mentions that some farmers are exploring organic and natural farming methods to reduce synthetic fertiliser use and support sustainable farming with minimal interference in natural ecosystems.

Solution Steps

  1. Human-made ecosystems like agricultural fields provide food for the growing human population and are essential for food security

  2. These ecosystems must be sustainable to protect the environment and ensure long-term productivity

  3. Unsustainable practices include overuse of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, which reduce soil fertility by killing beneficial microorganisms

  4. Heavy irrigation and repeated ploughing disturb soil organisms like earthworms

  5. Monoculture reduces crop diversity, affects pollinators, and causes pests to develop resistance to pesticides

  6. Sustainable practices include organic manure, composting, crop rotation, reducing synthetic chemicals, and supporting natural predators of pests

  7. Sustainable methods protect soil health, maintain biodiversity, and ensure food security for future generations

PreviousNext