Threat posed to the environment by agriculture?

Question

i want it in point form because i have to use for my geography assignment!

Answer 1

Well, it depends on how the farming is done, but . . .

Soil erosion from soil that's been tilled blowing away in the wind or exposed soil washing away in the rain (runoff) or from over-grazing fields.

Contaminating the soil (and air if it's sprayed on) by hazardous chemicals in fertilizers, weed-killers, and pesticides.

Contaminating rivers, streams, and groundwater from the above, even if they are organic.  (Or even from animals kept on the land--too many nutrients washed into streams from f***s, for example.)

Crops usually give off less oxygen and take in less carbon dioxide than what naturally grew there (especially if it was trees).

"Wearing out" the soil.  More nutrients are removed from the soil than are replaced in it, causing the land to be less fertile.  (Fertilizers only work temporarily.)

Reduced habitat for many native animals.

Water used in irrigation may reduce ground water that's been building up for centuries, reduce river levels, and all-around reduce the habitat for animals that live in water.