IB Biology HL D4.2.7 Agriculture Sustainability Factors Questions

Evaluate agricultural sustainability through ecosystem trade-offs, phosphorus and fertilizer risks, and renewable crop residues.

Exam points

Distinguish the sustainability of natural ecosystems from agricultural areas by considering soil, nutrient and biodiversity trade-offs.
Evaluate phosphorus depletion and phosphate-fertilizer benefits and risks, including yield, leaching and eutrophication effects.
Explain how wheat straw is a renewable, widely available non-food energy source that can reduce agricultural carbon impacts.

[Maximum number: 2]

The predominant source of phosphorus is rock containing phosphate (phosphate rock). The graph below shows the world production between 1900 and 2009.

Figure for Question IB Biology HL D4.2.7 Agriculture Sustainability Factors Questions question 1 — IB Biology HL

Some scientists estimate that available phosphorus reserves in the Earth will be completely depleted within approximately 100 years. Discuss the implications of these estimates.

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a	production of fertilizers will decrease/price of fertilizers will rise
b	less food production / increase in cost of foods
c	development of alternative methods of agriculture
d	Phosphate needed by living organisms for nucleic acids/ATP so lack will affect growth negatively

IB Biology HL D4.2.7 Agriculture Sustainability Factors Questions question 1