Consequences of Agricultural Practices Practice Test

Secondary-source excerpt (practice: monoculture): In a temperate region specializing in continuous soybean production, agronomists report that uniform crop genetics and synchronized planting dates can simplify mechanization and marketing. However, they also document faster depletion of specific soil nutrients and greater susceptibility to a single pathogen, leading to episodic yield collapses when a resistant strain is absent. The authors emphasize that outcomes depend on rotations, integrated pest management, and access to credit that buffers farmers during price swings.

Which of the following is the most significant environmental consequence of the agricultural practice described?

A policy report on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) notes that high-density livestock housing can lower per-unit production costs through controlled feeding and rapid weight gain. The report also documents risks of manure lagoon leakage, nutrient loading of nearby waterways, and localized air-quality problems from ammonia and particulates. It adds that impacts depend on siting, waste-treatment technology, and enforcement. Which of the following is the most significant environmental consequence of the agricultural practice described?