Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
effects on food production and availability depending on the types of changes and
where the changes occur.
QUESTIONS
1. The various climatic zones are delineated in Figure 8.1. Explain some reasons why
these definite boundaries might not always hold.
2. Explain why irrigation is not advisable in all areas even though there may be water
in wells.
3. Describe the various rainfall patterns in relationship to crop production.
4. Explain some effects of day length and frost-free days on the crops that may be
grown in an area.
5. Cold-weather crops can successfully be grown in some tropical countries. Describe
the places, generally, where this is possible.
6. Explain
the
possible
effects
of
increasing
atmospheric
carbon
dioxide
on
crop production.
7. Describe evapotranspiration and explain why it is important in determining an
area's suitability for crop production or needing irrigation.
8. An area is determined to have just enough rainfall to satisfy crop production needs,
but crops cannot be grown in the area. Explain how this might occur.
9. Describe the adverse effects high wind can have on both soil and crops.
10. Define growing degree days and explain why they are important.
REFERENCES
1. T. E. Lucht, S. J. Hamilton, M. H. Deaton, D. B. Dotson, and J. Allen, Soil Survey of Clinton
County, Ohio, found at http://soils.usda.gov/survey/online_surveys/ohio/index.html.
2. Africa faces big water shortage, 3rd March 2006, found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/
hi/newsid_4770000/newsid_4771500/4771592.stm.
3. Calculated from data from http://www.qpais.co.uk/modb-iec/dayleng.htm.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
C. D. Ahrens, Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment,
8th ed., Brooks/Cole, New York, 2006.
C. D. Ahrens, Essentials of Meteorology: An Introduction to the Atmosphere, 4th ed., Brooks/
Cole, New York, 2005.
J. Chang, Climate and Agriculture: An Ecological Survey, Aldine, Chicago, 1968.
