Soil Conservation

1.     Discuss how the methods of no-till or conservation tillage farming, as described in your text, can enhance soil quality.

a.     Farmers leave crops in the ground so that their roots prevent erosion and organic remains return nutrients to the soil. Also the roots pull water deeper into the soil creating better soil.

2.     What other benefits can these methods have?

a.     This method is cheaper than tilling and more efficient.

3.     What drawbacks or negative effects might no-till or conservation tillage practices have on soil and water quality, and how might these be prevented?

a.     Organic matter may make it harder for some seeds to germinate. It also presents a higher probability of mold growth.

4.     Besides no-till farming, select two other methods or approaches described in the chapter that you feel are promoting the science or practice of soil conservation.  In reference to Aldo Leopold’s land ethics (p. 144), how are humans and the soil members of the same community?

a.      Crop Rotations & Shelterbelts

b.     Humans receive their sustenance from te ground and if the quality of soil decreases it will be harder for us to create enough food to support our growing population.

Class Work Jan 7 (GMOs)

1. Find a definition of “genetically modified organism.” How are genetically modified organisms different from non-genetically modified organisms?

·                Any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. They are different from non-GMOs in that humans have altered their genetic material

2. The recent acts of activists intent on destruction of research plots included plants altered by molecular as well as classical genetic techniques. Is it possible to distinguish between plants altered by classical genetics and those altered by modern techniques? If it is possible, how is it done?

·                   One can tell the difference with a microscope.

3. What safeguards are in place to protect Americans from unsafe food? Are these methods science-based?

                  The FDA is meant to protect Americans from unsafe foods.

4. Name as many examples as you can of harm to citizens from unsafe food. What percentage of these illnesses was caused by special genetic modifications?

·                     E coli, contamination (ie from manure), none.

5. How have genetic modifications of fruits and vegetables improved crops with respect to nutritional composition, shelf life, eating quality, yields, and disease resistance?

·                      Nutrients have increased, they have a longer shelf life, they are of a higher quality, plants yield more and are resistant to disease. 

6. Can you describe a scenario in which public health and safety might be threatened by food crops modified by biotechnology?

·                      Allergic reactions, cancer, unknown side effects (ie resistance to antibiotics), birth defects, etc

7. Does biotechnology pose any risks to the environment? If so, what are these risks?

·                      Yes, it could become toxic to wildlife. Or, as in the case of roundup ready, weeds can become immune to it.

8. Is there any reason to be concerned by the role of private corporations in the development of agricultural biotechnology? Should companies be allowed to patent organisms?

·                      Yes, they are patenting things then forcing people to use them and then collecting money, such as in Food, Inc. I think they should not.

9. Are the activists justified in their acts of vandalism against food that has been modified through biotechnology? Why or why not?

·                      No, they do not, many do not understand what is going on and even if they do it is not their property and such an act can destroy someone’s hard work.

10. Do you think there are good reasons for using legal means against the development of biotechnology-modified foods? Why or why not?

·                      I think currently there is not enough information for such a decision to be made.

1. What kinds of plants are pollinated by honeybees?

·                      Almonds, apples, blueberries, broccoli, melon.

2. What are some short- and long-term economic, social, and environmental repercussions of a widespread disappearance of honeybees?

·                      Plants will go pollinated meaning the agricultural economy fails and people will go hungry.

3. Are larger or smaller honeybee operations more likely to experience Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)?

·                      Larger.

4. Hypothesize possible reasons for Colony Collapse Disorder.

·                      Pesticides, pathogens, fungicides, antibiotics, migratory beekeeping, loss of biodiversity, malnutrition, electromagnetic radiation, parasitic phorid fly, GMCs.

1. As a class, list possible causes of CCD that Mark, Dave, and Tanya read about.

·                      Pathogens, virus, multiple sources, GMCs, neonicotinoids, pesticides, Bt, Nosema, etc

2. How do Varroa mites and Nosema spores damage honeybee health? What are the disadvantages of using pesticides or fungicides against the mites and spores?

·                     Insects the digestive system of a bee. The mites and spores become resistant.

3. How do neonicotinoids affect a honeybee’s learning and memory?

·                      By mimicking the effects of nicotine.

4. Do you think genetically modified (GM) crops could contribute to symptoms of CCD?

·                      Possibly, but I don’t think they do.

5. Why don’t scientists think Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) is the only causative agent of CCD?

·                      Because they believe it is a combination of things, they believe IAPV only succeeds because the bees are weakened by something else.

6. What changes in agricultural practices could improve the environments of the honeybees?

·                      A diverse diet.

1. Investigate RNA interference and the methods used to effectively silence IAPV in honeybees.

·                      RNA interference- RNA molecules prevent gene expression, esp of mRNA, an effective method to silence IAPV in bees

2. Form a hypothesis and design an experiment to determine whether feeding dsRNAs to a honeybee colony reduces or prevents IAPV infection.

·                      Feed one set of bees dsRNA and the other a normal diet, see which set experiences less IAPV.

1. In Part I, you formed a hypothesis about what you think is causing CCD. Now that you have learned more about the subject, what changes would you make to your hypothesis?

·                      I would say that it is likely a combination of pesticides, a poor diet, and viruses such as IAPV.

2. What actions could the general population take to support the health of honeybees and other pollinators?

·                      Encourage awareness and plant diverse plants, especially ones that attract bees.

Food, Inc

1.  Who do you think should watch Food, Inc.? Why?

•  I think all Americans should watch Food, Inc. to understand all of the things behind the food they take for granted because all of us eat food.

2.  If you spoke to Michael Pollan, what would you say?

• If I spoke to Michael Pollan I would thank him for working towards this cause and ask him how he got started on this career path.

3.  Did Food, Inc. change the way you think about food?  Do you think it will now (or later when you have spending power) change the way you purchase food?

• Food, Inc changed the way I think about food in that I now understand more about where my food comes from and how the entire system is controlled by a few companies trying to make the most food with the least money and space. I think watching this movie will definitely alter my spending decisions in regard to food.

4.  What can a consumer do within our culture of large agribusiness to eat healthy and safe foods

• Things consumers can do are

o   spread the knowledge of the food industry’s actions

o   Avoid fast food/ heavily processed food

o   Eat free trade, free range meat

Lego Populations

The population is fairly even with the exception of the elderly class. Roughly the same number of people are born and die. This is good because the population is stable but bad because nothing is increasing.












A lot of babies have not only been born but also survived. Unfortunately the death rate is very high. A good thing is that population is expanding however this may cause an increased strain on resources.

Birth rates were once very high but have recently dropped. A pro is that life expectancy is getting better. A con is that once the older class passes on the current youngest generation will have to support a much larger older population.

Double Up

Thinglink #4

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/588445227824447489

The aquatic thinglink.

Thinglink #2&3

Terrestrial: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/585487656356413442
Compost: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/585535268770021378

Here are the two most recent thinglinks for the terrestrial and compost chambers.