Environmental impacts of Monoculture
Monoculture farming refers to cultivating a single crop on a large percentage or all of the farm, season after season. It places attention on crop specialization in modern agricultural terms.
The monocultural farm management approach is especially prevalent in industrialized areas—a new age commercial agriculture method to maximize production and profitability by growing a single crop. Farmers involved in this type of agriculture may believe that growing one species will increase earnings because only one method of harvesting is required. While the lower farming costs work to the advantage of the farmers, growing a single species can expose the farm to pervasive yield loss.
Monoculture— Detrimental To The Environment And Humans
In a natural ecosystem, a variety of plant species grow under and around each other. Even if the area happens to favor a single plant or tree species, this explains why natural monocultures cannot and do not exist. The inclusivity of vegetation types allows the prosperity of different wildlife populations while also facilitating ecological functions like pollination and bioremediation. So, if such diversity were to vanish, it would result in destructive consequences. We are already aware of the corn blight of 1970, which destroyed more than 15% of North America's corn crops. An example of widespread monocultural farming impact. This occurred because 70% of the crop was grown with the same high-yielding variety, making the corn defenseless against pathogenic substances. Research also reveals monoculture farming is already destroying the planet's most important pollinators, i.e., bees.
So, is there an effective, alternative method of growing our food? Before we get to that, let's look at the main drawbacks of the monoculture method of crop production.
The Problem With Monoculture System
Excessively Using Toxic Fertilizers
An imbalanced diversity in a monoculture system constraints nature from performing wholesome operations to flourish crops and soil. A wider array of flora and fauna provides vital nutrients while ensuring that a single species of insect does not harm too many crops. However, a more serious problem is the application of synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, and bactericides in a monoculture system. Given that it is not based on natural settings, monoculture imitates natural ecological components to safeguard crops and profits through the usage of artificial synthetic elements. There are numerous drawbacks to the use of industrial chemicals that are not organic, especially in terms of their environmental footprint. These harmful synthetics used in massive amounts contaminate plants grown for human consumption. It also results in a vast heap of residue in the soil post-harvest which not only permeates the soil but also degrades groundwater quality. Groundwater contamination can have a deleterious effect on neighboring ecosystems, even those that are not directly impacted by the chemicals. Synthetic chemicals overwhelm plant diversities and the surrounding diversities. As nature activates the natural mechanism to protect itself by increasing resistance against the synthetic compounds, this further prompts food producers to integrate more inorganic countermeasures. As a result, a higher amount of chemicals pours into monoculture crops, wreaking havoc on the natural environment.
Compromising Soil Quality
Meanwhile, monoculture also acts as a deterrent to soil diminishment in other ways such as compromising the vulnerability of the ground crops against strong winds, rainstorms, etc. It also hinders leaf litter which is essential for topsoil health in terms of soil filtering and enhancement. Reusing the same soil for a single crop increases rain runoff and plant diseases and pathogens. Eventually, rendering the soil degraded and inhospitable for agriculture.
Abusing Water
In a conventional monoculture setting, the soil moisture is unstable. This pushes the need for enormous amounts of water to irrigate crops, which results in lopsided draining of water sources such as rivers and reservoirs. Ultimately depleting and polluting natural resources and aquatic life.
Fossil Fuel Burning
The packing and distribution of crops require using fossil fuel energy, which contributes significantly to climate change. The food business, along with forest loss and poor forest protection, is one of the world's largest carbon dioxide emitters. It accounts for one-third of all anthropogenic greenhouse emissions. The human population is rapidly growing, estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. This necessitates a higher amount of crop yields, so people living on the planet can have access to nutritious meals at affordable prices. And, a monoculture farming system where single crop yields in ample amounts can seem to help with the problem. But there are some serious downfalls to consider— excessive fertilizer use, habitat destruction, ecological degradation, soil fertility loss, carbon emission, etc. All of these make the few selective benefits of monoculture farming discountable when compared to its adverse effects.
The Better Approach To Food Production
Monoculture works against the ecological cycle of farmlands. On the other hand, Regenerative Agriculture works actively in harmony with nature. Regenerative practices such as no-till farming, composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, organic cropping, and managed to graze can help mitigate the negative impacts of monoculture.
A regenerative farming approach is designed to strengthen soils that have been damaged by excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in commercial agricultural systems. The farming methods emphasize conservation and stronger biodiversity by restoring soil organic matter through holistic farming and integrated livestock methods. Making it best equipped to trap atmospheric co2 (implying that it has the potential to lower climate change). Better soil quality enhances long-term soil fertility, improves water infiltration, decreases soil erosion, and improves the overall biodiversity— resulting in a more sustainable and thriving ecosystem. Here's a quick highlight of some of the regenerative farming benefits—
Nutrient-dense crops.
Increases crop resistance.
Healthier and safer working environment.
Aids pollinators.
There are no GMOs.
Integrates livestock into agricultural systems.
Lucrative farmland utilization.
Diversifies farm income.
Conclusion
Challenged by the negative effects of monoculture farming methods and climate change, growers and policymakers must collaborate to broaden farmlands around the world. The current monoculture produces food in excessive quantities, which entails higher pesticide use. Furthermore, climate change is also endangering American agriculture with hotter temperature levels. NASA predicts a direct impact on corn and wheat production in the US by 2030 owing to uncontrolled GHGs emissions. Hotter temperatures will also increase pest infestations and decrease pesticide effectiveness. Consequently, pesticide overuse will enable pests to attack the crops, resulting in a slippery slope of pests, pesticide usage, and pesticide resistance.
To produce enough food and slow the rate of climate change, the world must eliminate commodity crop subsidies and redirect to more diverse farming practices like regenerative agriculture. This reduces the dependence on pesticides while maximizing agricultural output.
People and industries around the world are becoming more aware of implementing sustainable practices, and there is a strong drive within the agri-industry to minimize polluting waste and emissions. Combating climate change may not be easy, but cooperation between growers, suppliers, businesses, and governments can alleviate the hardship and make way for progressive outcomes.
Related blogs:
