Large scale farming and its environmental effects – Essay Sample and References

Overview:

Large-scale farming, also known as industrial or commercial agriculture, plays a pivotal role in meeting global food demand. However, it also has significant environmental implications that necessitate thorough research and analysis. This research work aims to provide a concise overview of key aspects and points related to large-scale farming and its environmental effects, serving as a starting point for further research in this critical area.

Key Aspects and Points:

Definition and Scale:

• Clarification of what constitutes large-scale farming and its scale in terms of land use and production.
• How large-scale farming differs from small-scale and subsistence agriculture.

Environmental Impact Categories:

• Examination of various environmental effects caused by large-scale farming, including:
  • Land degradation and soil erosion.
  • Water pollution and overuse of freshwater resources.
  • Biodiversity loss and habitat destruction.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change implications.

Intensive Agricultural Practices:

• Exploration of the intensive farming practices associated with large-scale agriculture, such as monoculture, heavy pesticide and fertilizer use, and genetically modified crops.
• Discussion of how these practices contribute to environmental issues.

Deforestation and Land Conversion:

• Analysis of large-scale farming’s role in deforestation and the conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural land.
• The impact on carbon sequestration and global biodiversity.

Water Management:

• Examination of water management practices in large-scale farming, including irrigation systems and water use efficiency.
• Assessment of how these practices affect local and regional water resources.

Agrochemicals and Pollution:

• Discussion of the use of agrochemicals like pesticides and fertilizers in large-scale farming.
• Their implications for soil and water quality, as well as human health.

Sustainable Agriculture Alternatives:

• Exploration of sustainable agricultural practices and technologies that mitigate the environmental effects of large-scale farming, such as precision agriculture, organic farming, and agroforestry.

Policy and Regulations:

• Evaluation of government policies and international agreements aimed at addressing the environmental impact of large-scale farming.
• The role of regulatory frameworks in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Global Food Security:

• Discussion of the role of large-scale farming in meeting global food demands.
• Balancing the need for food production with environmental conservation.

This research work serves as a foundational overview of the complex relationship between large-scale farming and its environmental effects. Researchers can use this as a starting point to delve deeper into specific aspects, conduct case studies, and develop policy recommendations to address the environmental challenges associated with industrial agriculture.

Suggested sources and references (APA 7):

• Stein, E. (2021). The Transformative Environmental Effects Large-Scale Indoor Farming May Have On Air, Water, and Soil. In Air, Soil and Water Research (Vols. 14). Air, Soil and Water Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178622121995819
• Bruijn, J. A. de, Smilovic, M., Burek, P., Guillaumot, L., Wada, Y., & Aerts, J. (2023). GEB v0.1: a large-scale agent-based socio-hydrological model – simulating 10 million individual farming households in a fully distributed hydrological model. In Geoscientific Model Development. Geoscientific Model Development. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2437-2023
• Burnod, P., Rakotomalala, H., Rasolofo, P., & Brès, A. Large-scale plantation and contract farming effects: qualitative and quantitative assessment in Madagascar. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/65942761f23ced003a942422409a8f5af5e0df9c
• Hai, M., Su, A., Wang, M., Gao, S., Lu, C., Guo, Y., & Xiao, C. (2023). Large-Scale Freezing and Thawing Model Experiment and Analysis of Water–Heat Coupling Processes in Agricultural Soils in Cold Regions. In Water. Water. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010019
• Ismail, S. I. H., Norman, N. S. S. M., Nor, N. M., Zakaria, Z., & Hassan, S. H. (2023). Examining Large-Scale Solar (LSS) Photovoltaic (PV) Operating Utilities by using Environmental Impact Screening (EIS). In Jurnal Kejuruteraan. Jurnal Kejuruteraan. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkukm-2023-35(6)-25

Suggested reading (APA 7):

• Council, N. R., Medicine, I. of, Resources, B. on A. and N., Board, F. and N., Health, C. on a F. for A. the, Environmental, ., & System, and S. E. of the F. (2015). A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System. National Academies Press. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=SxM9CgAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• Kimuyu, P. (2018). The Impact of Industrial Farming on the Environment. GRIN Verlag. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=RK1jDwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• Council, N. R., Development, B. on S. and T. for I., Agriculture, B. on, & Tropics, C. on S. A. and the E. in the H. (1993). Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment in the Humid Tropics. National Academies Press. http://books.google.com/books?id=qo7L08A7kikC&dq=Large+scale+farming+and+its+rnvironmental+effects&hl=&source=gbs_api
• Scialabba, N., & Hattam, C. (2002). Organic Agriculture, Environment and Food Security. Food & Agriculture Org. http://books.google.com/books?id=ZeGpgERESvkC&dq=Large+scale+farming+and+its+rnvironmental+effects&hl=&source=gbs_api
• Program, U. G. C. R. (2018). Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States. Simon and Schuster. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ImeCDwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• Hakeem, K. R. (2015). Crop Production and Global Environmental Issues. Springer. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=FxMpCwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
• A.), P. H. R. L. (NATHAN, & Rosenberg, N. (2021). Farming for Our Future. http://books.google.com/books?id=v0m_zgEACAAJ&dq=Large+scale+farming+and+its+rnvironmental+effects&hl=&source=gbs_api

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