Environmental Impact Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real GAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Environmental Impact Assessment flashcards as text
Which greenhouse gas is most directly associated with flooded rice paddies and poorly managed manure storage in agriculture?
Answer: Methane (CH4)
Methane is produced under anaerobic conditions such as flooded paddies and uncovered manure lagoons, making it a significant agricultural greenhouse gas.
What is 'environmental baseline data' in the context of a farm impact assessment?
Answer: Information collected on existing environmental conditions before a project begins
Baseline data documents pre-project conditions in soil, water, air, and wildlife so future changes caused by the project can be accurately measured.
Which practice is considered a best management practice (BMP) for reducing phosphorus loss from farm fields?
Answer: Applying phosphorus fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Soil test-based phosphorus applications prevent over-fertilization, reducing runoff of this nutrient that causes eutrophication in water bodies.
What is the primary concern with using reclaimed or recycled water for irrigation in an environmental impact context?
Answer: Potential introduction of pathogens and chemical contaminants to produce and soil
Reclaimed water may contain pathogens, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals that can contaminate crops, soil, or groundwater if not properly treated and managed.
Which federal program provides financial assistance to farmers for implementing conservation practices that reduce environmental impact?
Answer: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP is a USDA NRCS program that provides technical and financial assistance to help agricultural producers implement conservation practices.
What does 'integrated pest management (IPM)' contribute to environmental impact reduction?
Answer: It minimizes pesticide use by combining biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls
IPM reduces unnecessary pesticide applications by using multiple strategies, protecting non-target organisms, reducing chemical runoff, and preserving beneficial insects.
Under a GAP environmental assessment, which water source requires the most rigorous quality testing before use for irrigating ready-to-eat crops?
Answer: Surface water (rivers, ponds, streams)
Surface water is most susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, wildlife, and upstream activities, requiring frequent testing for pathogens like generic E. coli.