Sustainable Agriculture & Environmental Conservation Flashcards
6 cards from real Agriculture and Environment practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Sustainable Agriculture & Environmental Conservation flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of riparian buffer strips in agricultural landscapes?
Answer: Filtering agricultural runoff and protecting stream banks from erosion
Riparian buffers are vegetated strips along waterways that filter sediment, nutrients, and pesticides from runoff before they reach streams.
Which sustainable farming certification is administered by the USDA and prohibits synthetic pesticides and fertilizers?
Answer: USDA Organic Certification
USDA Organic Certification prohibits synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs, requiring adherence to National Organic Program standards.
What is 'precision agriculture' and how does it support sustainability?
Answer: Using GPS, sensors, and data to apply inputs precisely where needed, reducing waste
Precision agriculture uses technology to optimize input application, reducing excess fertilizer and pesticide use while maintaining yields and minimizing environmental impact.
What is eutrophication, and what agricultural practice primarily causes it?
Answer: Excessive algae growth in water bodies caused by nutrient runoff from fertilized fields
Eutrophication occurs when excess nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff enter water bodies, triggering algae blooms that deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life.
Which federal program helps farmers implement conservation practices by providing technical and financial assistance?
Answer: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP, administered by NRCS, provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns.
What is carbon sequestration in agriculture?
Answer: Capturing and storing atmospheric carbon in soil and plant biomass through farming practices
Agricultural carbon sequestration stores atmospheric CO2 in soil organic matter and plant biomass through practices like cover cropping, no-till, and agroforestry.