Practice AP Environmental Science questions on soil conservation, crop rotation, grazing, cover crops, no-till farming, and food production.
As the human population continues to grow, the demand for animal protein is expected to double by 2050. Animal protein can be obtained from conventional livestock and other sources. The production of all animal protein has environmental costs, as shown in the following graphs. In Figure 1, global warming potential (GWP) is measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent . Carbon dioxide equivalent is a measure of the warming effect of a gas relative to that of carbon dioxide. In Figure 2, land use is measured in meters squared ( ).
Global Warming Potential and Land Use from Animal Protein Production
Figure 1
Figure 2
Propose a solution to reduce the negative impacts on waterways that result from cattle grazing, while still allowing cattle to graze.
Crop production can cause soil erosion. Describe a sustainable agricultural practice used to reduce soil erosion.
Justify the use of the sustainable practice described in part (h) by describing an additional advantage, other than the reduction of soil erosion.