FPP - The Blue Revolution and Alternative Agriculture (Lesson)

The Blue Revolution and Alternative Agriculture 

Hydroponics

Some suggest that in the future we will rely increasingly on artificial agriculture, such as hydroponics, which is the growing of plants in a fertilized water solution on a completely artificial substrate in a protected environment, like a greenhouse. This alternative agricultural technique is expensive and unlikely to be effective in areas where hunger and demand are the greatest.

The first recorded use of hydroponics is in one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon where, historians say, plants were grown in a steady stream of water. Centuries later, U.S. troops stationed on infertile Pacific Islands during World War II ate fresh fruits and vegetables produced by hydroponics.

Hydroponic systems reduce space requirements and the growing time needed to produce a crop. Since there is no soil involved, no-tillage is necessary and there are no weeds to contend with. The amount of chemicals needed is reduced since biocontrol measures work better in the controlled environment of a greenhouse and there are fewer pests.

Environmental factors aren't a problem in greenhouses since lighting, temperature, humidity, and irrigation can be controlled. Nutrients used for plant growth are recyclable, to be used again and again.

Greenhouse Agriculture

The sunny south of Spain offers more to the national economy than simply tourism. Over the past 50 years, the small coastal plain (campo), some 30 kilometers southwest of the city of Almería, has been intensively developed for agriculture. An estimated 20,000 hectares of extra-early market produce is grown in greenhouses in the Campo de Dalías, and it accounts for over $1.5 billion in economic activity. The area has a dry, mild, Mediterranean climate and is further sheltered on the north by the Sierra de Gador mountains. With just slightly more than 200 millimeters of annual precipitation to support crop growth, the area also relies on groundwater-fed by small stream aquifers from the mountains to the north.

This image was taken with a digital camera by the crew of the International Space Station near midday in early February. Note the dense, bright pattern of thousands of greenhouses extending from the shoreline right up to the base of the mountains and even into some of the smaller valleys. Salt pan operations can also be seen in the long coastal lagoons.

Before moving on to the next section, review and answer the following questions.

• What are the advantages of growing food hydroponically?
• How are water and nutrients readily available for plants growing without soil?
• What are the challenges with using hydroponics to grow plants?
• What advantages are there in using greenhouse agriculture?
• What regional conditions would encourage the use of greenhouses as an important agricultural technique

The Blue Revolution or Aquaculture

Global Wild Caught Aquatic Organisms by Type (in million tons 1950 -2010) 

 

Shrimp Farms in the Honduras 1987 to 1999

 

The term "blue revolution" refers to the growth of aquaculture as an important and highly productive agricultural activity. Aquaculture refers to all forms of active culturing or "farming" of aquatic animals and plants, occurring in marine, estuarine, or freshwaters.

Although aquaculture has long been practiced in China with freshwater fish have been grown as food in managed ponds for thousands of years; only in the last few decades has the practice of aquaculture become global.

The goal of aquaculture science is to develop aquatic systems where aquatic organisms can be grown and harvested at high but sustainable rates, while not causing unnecessary and unacceptable environmental damage. Aquaculture supports new sources for the growing human population by augmenting the food supply and decreasing the demand for wild-caught fish, especially for overfished areas and species.

 

Global Fisheries: Wild vs. Farmed (in million tons 1950 - 2010)

 

Aquaculture 101 and its Impact on the Environment by NOAA

 

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.