Unit A: Global Agriculture

Environmental ScienceEssential Standard 5.00: Understand the environmental science industry (water, soils, wildlife and forestry).Objective 5.01Remember careers in the environmental science industry.Major career areas of Environmental ScienceWater resourcesan essential nutrient for all plant and animal lifeSoil resourcesthe top layer of the Earths surface, which is suitable for the growth of plant lifeMajor career areas of Environmental ScienceWildlife animals that are adapted to live in a natural environment without the help of humansForestryindustry that grows, manages, and harvests trees for lumber, posts, panels, paper and many other commodities

Examples of careers in Environmental ScienceSoil conservationist assists landowners in implementing best land use practicesSoil scientist classify soil according to the most appropriate use. Requires bachelors degree (4 yr)Silviculturist one who scientifically manages forests (specializing in the care of trees)Forestry consultant advises private forest land owners. Loggers one who harvests treesExamples of careers in Environmental ScienceUrban Forester the one responsible for the health and well-being of our cities treesWildlife biologist does research on habitat and wildlife and advises government agencies in establishing fish/game laws and habitat improvement programs. Requires minimum of bachelors degree (4 yr)Wildlife manager often work in government agencies , advising land owners and managing game populations on public landsWildlife officer/Game warden works for the agency (North Carolina Wildlife Commission) responsible for controlling the harvest of wildlifeExamples of careers in Environmental ScienceSoil technician uses soil auger/soil tube to take soil samples and do technical field workWildlife technician works in the field tagging animals, gathering data and assisting with researchEcologists studies the effects of the environment on animal lifeExamples of careers in Environmental ScienceForester provides assistance in managing forests for the private landowner as well as the commercial growerTimber Cruiser are hired by private landowners and companies to estimate tree volume on a tract of landLogging foreman is responsible for overseeing and managing logging operationsSkidder operators move felled trees form the cutting site to the loading areaObjective 5.02Understand biotechnology in the environmental science industry.Environmental BiotechnologyBiotechnology is playing a large part in detecting and monitoring pollution and determining how much is presentEnvironmental Biotechnology ExamplesIndicator speciesLichens are widely used as environmental indicators or bio-indicatorsIf air is very badly polluted with sulfur dioxide, there may be no lichens present, just green algae may be foundEnvironmental Biotechnology ExamplesBioremediation Bacteria is used to clean up oil and fuel spillsOleophilic (attracted to oil) bacteria used to clean up oil spillsHanahan, SC, a suburb of Charleston, had an 80,000 gallon jet fuel leak from a military fuel storage facilityfuel entered the ground and the groundwaterBacteria were successfully used to remediate this problemEnvironmental Biotechnology ExamplesBiostimulationThe Exxon Valdez clean-up Used the addition of nutrientsFeed the oleophilic bacteriaEnvironmental Biotechnology ExamplesBiodieselmade from oilseedsSoybeancanola oilproven to decrease harmful emissionsEnvironmental Biotechnology ExamplesPhytoremediation Oregon Poplar Site (illegal industrial waste dumping site)J-Field at Aberdeen Proving Ground( disposal site of chemical warfare agents, munitions and industrial chemicals)used hybrid poplar treesremove VOCsvolatile organic compounds from contaminated soilEnvironmental Biotechnology ExamplesGenetic engineeringbacterial strains are under development to convert solid waste from humans and livestock into sugar and fuelLimitations of using bio and phytoremediationTimeoften considered slower than chemical techniquesApplicabilitythey do not apply to all situationsFearthose who live near treatment sites often would rather have the contaminated soil removed than treatedFear that the process will not uncontaminate the soilObjective 5.03Understand basic environmental science principles and practices.Water ResourcesPotable WaterDrinkable-free from harmful chemicals and organismsMost of the Earths water is not fresh waterUniversal solventit dissolves or otherwise changes most other materialsWater ResourcesWater Cyclecycling of water between water sources, atmosphere, and surface areas Precipitation moisture from rain or snowEvaporation changing from a liquid to a gasWatershedlarge area in which water is absorbed from rain or melting snow and from which water drainsacts as a storage system absorbs excess water and releasing it slowly throughout the yearWater Tablelevel below which soil is saturated with waterWater ResourcesTypes of GroundwaterCapillarywater that plant roots can absorbFree (gravitational)water that drains out of a soil after it has been wettedHygroscopicwater that is held too tightly for plant roots to absorb

Water ResourcesConserving Water and Improving Water QualityAsk the right questionsHow can we reduce water pollution?How can soil erosion be reduced?Water ResourcesWhat is the most productive use of water and soil without polluting or losing these essential resources?Good practices: Save clean waterturn off water faucet while brushing teethDispose of household products carefully and appropriately.never pour paint down the drain as it will eventually enter the water supplyCare for lawns, gardens and farmland carefullyonly till soil that will not erode excessively and dont over fertilizeSoilSoil ProfileA Horizon- topsoilSurface layer of soil approximately 6 deep.Organic mattertypically darker colorGreatest influence on cropsB Horizon subsoilSubsurface layerIncrease in clay contentGreatest influence on urban uses (building sites, septic systems, etc.)C Horizon parent material (bedrock)Releases water to the upper soil layersContains larger soil particles

Soil TextureRefers to the size of soil particlesSand Largest soil particleProblems holding enough water for good plant growthIndividual particles can be seen with the naked eyeDrain wellSiltIntermediate size soil particleCant be seen with naked eyeClaysmallest soil particleholds lots of watermay be airtight, infertile for root growth, and associated with wet soilsSoil StructureRefers to the tendency of soil particles to cluster togetherSingle grainsandy soilsGranular particles cling together to form rounded aggregatesvery desirable for all soil usesBlockyparticles cling together in angular aggregatestypical of soils with high clay contentSoil ClassificationLand capability maps are based on the physical, chemical, and topographical aspects of the landLand Capability classes are designated by Roman Numerals I VIII.Class I and II landbest land for the most intensive cultivation of field cropsfewest limitations and can be planted year after yearClass VIIvery steeply sloping best used for planting trees3) Class VIIIland is best suited for wildlife and recreationSoil Conservation Two types of erosionSheet removal of layers of soil from the land.Gully removal of soil that leaves trenches.No till Crops are planted directly into the residue of a previous cropAn effective means of erosion controlConventional Tillagedisturbs the soil surface by plowingConservation Tillageintermediate tillage system conventional and no-tillWildlife ManagementBenefits of WildlifeHunting/FishingViewingPhotographyEnvironmental IndicatorWildlife EnvironmentsFarmBy-product of the farming operationLeaving crop residue standing can increase food supplyCreating brush piles when harvesting trees provides shelter and coverForestDifficult to managePlans should be developed so that timber and wildlife can exist in populations large enough to be sustained and harvestedWetlandWetlands are the most productive wildlife management areaWildlife EnvironmentsStreamdifficult to manage due to continuous flow of waterPonds/Lakeseasier to manage than streams due to water standing and not flowingBackyards (urban wildlife)birds, butterflies and small mammals can be attracted through use of feeders, houses and proper landscapingCarrying CapacityNumber of wildlife that can be supportedExceeding the carrying capacity: Wildlife is affected by malnutrition, disease, and a reduction in the reproduction cycleHabitat quality decreasesA pond with a carrying capacity of 20 fish will decrease if 50 fish are competing for the same food, habitat and oxygenHunting and FishingHelps to maintain the proper carrying capacityPrevents:overpopulationmalnutritiondiseasereduction in reproductiondecreased wildlife populationExamples of Wildlife in North CarolinaHunted Speciesdeer, ducks, bear, quail, doves, rabbitsSongbirdsCardinal, robin, chickadee, Eastern bluebirdBirds of preyRed- tailed hawk, Turkey and black vultureFish (freshwater)largemouth and smallmouth bass, bream, catfish, crappieForest ManagementNorthern coniferous forestlargest region and produces large amounts of pulpwoodPacific Coast Forest most productive of the forest regionssome of the largest trees in the worldDouglas Firone of the most important commercially grown treesForest ManagementSouthern forestsMost potential for meeting the future lumber and pulpwood needs of the USConifersVirginia, loblolly, shortleaf, longleaf and slash pinesHardwoodsOak, poplar, maple and walnutImportance of ForestsRecreationhunting, hikingWood productslumber, pulpwood, etc.Wildlife habitatFilterwater and airSilvicultureScientific forest management techniquesManaging growing timberPrescribed thinningremove some trees when competition slows the growth of all treesPrescribed burningreduce the risk of wildfireseliminates forest litter (fuel)SilvicultureHarvesting TimberClear cuttingsystem of harvesting trees where all of the trees in an area are removedSelection cuttingrecommended for a forest of trees consisting of different ages and speciesReplacing treesReplanting seedlings is a surer method of replacing treesNatural seedingleast expensive Identification and Uses of Important Tree Species in NCConifers (softwoods) needle-type evergreensFrazier firMost important commercially grown Christmas Tree in NC (mountains)dark green -1 long singular needleLoblolly pinepulpwood and plywood3 needles/bundle, needles 6-9 long needles.Longleaf pine lumber, pulpwood and plywood3 needles/bundle, 8-18 long needlesIdentification and Uses of Important Tree Species in NCHardwoods deciduous treesAshbaseball bats, handlesopposite pinnately compound leavesWhite oakflooring, furniturealternate, pinnately lobed leaves, Red Maplelumber, veneer, cabinetsopposite, palmately lobed,3-5 lobedMeasurement of Trees and LumberPulpwood DBH, merchantable height in feet, cordsSawtimber DBH, 16 foot logs, board feetLumber 1 board foot = 144 cubic inchesObjective 5.04Remember tools and their safety practices related to the environmental science industry.Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceBush axeCutting bushes and under growth

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceChain saw fileSharpening chain saw chain

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceHalf hatchetCutting and fitting firewood

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceIncrement borerChecking growth rate of trees

Examples of tools used in Environmental SciencePlanting barSetting out tree seedlings

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceSoil augerBoring into soil to get samples

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceTree diameter tapeMeasure circumference of trees

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceSecchi discmeasures turbidity of water

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceClinometerused to measure the height of a tree

Examples of tools used in Environmental ScienceTree scale stickused to measure tree diameter and height