Learning   Portfolio

            The earth and its ecosystems are largely affected by biogeochemical cycles, as discussed in Chapter 5. The hydrologic cycle, or water cycle, includes how water is evaporated into the air and precipitated back to the earth. One major component of this cycle that greatly affects mankind’s water resources is runoff, water that flows to large water basins during rain storms. This water can cause “serious nonpoint pollution” (Shan) to water sources it flows into by picking up chemicals and compounds from the topsoil and man-made structures it runs across. Many studies have been conducted to understand how this runoff loss can be reduced. “… The best method to prevent water quality degradation is to manage the domestic sewage, cropland, and woodland runoff.” (Qianqian) Preventing damage to water sources can be done by monitoring factors such as cropland runoff and creating methods to reduce pollution.

 

            In a study recently conducted in Chinese cabbage fields, large amounts of nitrogen from fertilizers were being fed into nearby lakes through runoff loss. The study stated that “A thorough understanding of [nitrogen] runoff losses is necessary for optimal [nitrogen] management in vegetable production systems.” (Shan) It is important to understand how runoff is being produced, and what components runoff possesses in order to maintain resources. This study found that different methods of fertilization created different amounts of nitrogen runoff. Conventional fertilization methods produced the most pollution, only causing runoff to lose about seven percent of nitrogen before reaching a nearby lake. However, slow-release fertilization methods caused runoff to lose over fifty percent of nitrogen before reaching the lake, decreasing the rate of degradation to the water quality. (Shan) By using different fertilization methods, farms are able to reduce pollution caused by runoff.

 

            Agricultural science is a major underlying factor in preserving environments and water resources. The goal of modern agriculture is to “achieve productivity in perpetuity without accompanying environmental and social harm.” (Kesavan) Essentially, agricultural science focuses on sustaining the environment and social structures through agriculture. However, agricultural engineering has had a history of harming the environment greatly. For example, when India first became a sovereign nation, it had inadequate means of providing its people with the resources they needed to survive. An agricultural movement began called the “Green Revolution,” (Kesavan) but its results did not correspond with the name. “…The Green Revolution resulted in environmental degradation, enhanced social inequities and had little to do with sustainable agriculture and rural development.” (Kesavan). The movement was able to provide the people of India with the food they needed, but with high disregard to environmental and social issues. This led to much advancement in agricultural science in India, which now focuses on providing “ecotechnologies having pro-nature, pro-poor, pro-women and pro-livelihood orientation.” (Kesavan) Today, citizens of India can be assured they will be provided with proper resources while still minimizing damage to these resources.

 

            A great challenge in presenting ideas about water conservation is maintaining the attention of the audience. An inclusive way to get people interested in a topic that may seem droll, such as runoff and agriculture, is to give a visual example of the information that is to be shared. Providing them with different samples of water, each with their own amount of pollution, could be an easy way to catch the attention of viewers. Perhaps showing what water with soil looks like, or a bottle of water with high nitrogen levels, and also, comparing these sample to clean, fresh water the viewers are used to seeing would provide an excellent visual aspect to a presentation about runoff pollution. This way, people will understand the dangers their own drinking and bathing and cooking water are in. Displaying a concrete example of something people use every day is an excellent way to get people excited about the topic, because they can see how it will affect them in life.

 

            Water can be harmed in many ways, even by natural cycles. Runoff is a significant factor in the hydrologic cycle, and it can negatively impact human water resources depending on the amount of chemicals it picks up. It is important to understand what conditions tend to create more pollution, and what simple changes people can make to avoid damage to resources. By studying agricultural science, people are better able to feed their communities while sustaining a healthy environment. These ideas should be expressed in a highly interactive and visual manner to show people the importance of water conservation. In this way, these resources can better be preserved and protected for a more sustainable usage that future generations can continue to rely on.