5.2.13 (HL)—Local agricultural choices

Compare two agricultural choices within the same biome and soil context so the explanation focuses on local differences in rainfall, slope, drainage, market access and risk.

Prairie/steppe mollisol choice	Why it may be selected	Main sustainability questions
Cereal cultivation	deep fertile soil and reliable moisture can support arable production	erosion, nutrient loss, machinery and monoculture
Cattle ranching	grassland or drier areas can support grazing where cropping is riskier	stocking pressure, soil compaction, methane and land opportunity cost

Both choices can occur on prairie mollisols; explain the contrast using site evidence rather than assuming the soil name alone determines the result.

Hold biome and broad soil type constant, then compare inputs, outputs, environmental impacts and socioeconomic purposes.

A named biome or soil provides context, not a complete causal explanation of the farmer's decision.