EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS (WEEK FIVE)

TOPIC: EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Specific Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain Agricultural activities

2. State the effects of each Agricultural activities on the ecosystem

3. Mention different types of farming

4. State the advantages and disadvantages of these types of farming

5. Define pest

6. Mention types of pest with specific example

7. Explain the life cycle of any named pest

8. Explain the term disease

9. List the diseases of plants and animals

10. Mention various control measures for these diseases 

 

Agricultural activity or farming involves the growing of crops as well as rearing of livestock such as poultry, cattle, goats and pigs. Farming is carried out on land. Various farming activities which range from clearing the ground, leveling / tilling the soil, planting the crops to fertilizer application; all upset the natural ecological system.

Bush clearing/burning: Here the farmer clears an area or bush for cultivation by burning the bush vegetation on it.   

Effects                                                                                                                       

1. Plant communities are destroyed.                                                                                 

2. Animal life in the area is endangered during burning, which can lead to extinction of ecologically important species.                                                                          

3. Removal of vegetation exposes the land to agents of erosion such as rain and wind. 

4. The incidence of leaching of essential mineral elements becomes high.                            

5. It reduces weed competition.                                                                                                   

6. Pest and disease agents are killed. 

Tillage 

Tillage is carried out to loosen the soil and make it suitable for seed germination. 

Effects

1. It makes the soil particles to be better arranged for good root development.

2. Improves air supply or aeration to the soil. 

3. Increase the ability of the soil to absorb water. 

4. Removes weeds. 

5. During tillage, organic matter/fertilizers are added to the soil and this helps to reduce erosion due to its binding action on soil. 

6. Total tillage could lead to compaction of soil due to movement of heavy equipment, leaching of soluble nutrients and erosion as a result of exposure to climatic factors.

 

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