Meat Production Methods (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).
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Define concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).
A CAFO (feedlot) is an intensive livestock farming system in which animals are confined in small spaces and rapidly fattened for slaughter.
What are animals in CAFOs typically fed?
Animals in CAFOs are typically fed grains and processed feeds rather than natural diets like grass.
Define free-range grazing.
Free-range grazing is a system in which animals roam freely and graze on natural vegetation, mimicking natural feeding behaviors.
It takes approximately times more land to produce the same number of calories from meat as from plants.
It takes approximately 20 times more land to produce the same number of calories from meat as from plants.
Why is feeding livestock an inefficient way to produce food energy?
Only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels; the rest is lost through heat and metabolism, as livestock use energy for movement, digestion, and bodily functions.
True or False?
Raising livestock uses less water than growing crops for direct human consumption.
False.
Raising animals is water-intensive, because water is needed for the animals to drink and to irrigate their feed crops.
Why are CAFO animals routinely given antibiotics?
CAFO animals are given antibiotics to prevent disease in crowded, stressful confinement and to promote faster growth to slaughter weight.
How does routine antibiotic use in CAFOs lead to antibiotic resistance?
Bacteria that survive low-dose antibiotic exposure pass on resistance genes to their offspring, and resistant strains then spread within the herd and beyond the CAFO.
True or False?
CAFOs require more land per animal than free-range grazing.
False.
CAFOs require less land per animal, whereas free-range grazing requires large areas of land.
By which pathways can antibiotic-resistant bacteria from CAFOs reach humans?
Resistant bacteria can reach humans through meat, water (runoff from manure and waste lagoons), and air and direct contact with workers and nearby residents.
In free-range grazing, animals' organic waste acts as a natural , improving soil quality.
In free-range grazing, animals' organic waste acts as a natural fertilizer, improving soil quality.
Which gases from CAFO manure contribute to climate change and poor air quality?
CAFO manure releases methane and ammonia, which contribute to climate change and poor air quality.
What production advantage do CAFOs have regardless of season or climate?
CAFOs allow year-round, continuous meat production, unlike free-range grazing.
True or False?
Free-range animals are more likely to need antibiotics than CAFO animals.
False.
Free-range animals are less likely to require antibiotics, because they are not kept in confined, high-density conditions.
How can poorly managed free-range grazing damage land?
Overgrazing can cause loss of vegetation, soil compaction, and erosion, and can degrade soil and lead to desertification.
Why does free-range meat cost consumers more than CAFO meat?
Free-range systems are more expensive to maintain and produce less meat per acre than CAFOs, leading to higher consumer prices.
How does free-range grazing reduce agricultural demand for crops like corn and soy?
Free-range grazing has less reliance on grain-based feed, which reduces demand for crops like corn and soy.
Define overgrazing.
Overgrazing occurs when too many animals feed on a particular area of land for an extended period, preventing vegetation from naturally regenerating.
In which environments is overgrazing a major concern?
Overgrazing is a major concern in grasslands, savannas, and arid regions, where plant regrowth is slow.
How does overgrazing increase soil erosion?
With fewer plant roots to hold soil in place, wind and water erosion increase, and rills and gullies can form.
True or False?
Overgrazing increases water infiltration into the soil.
False.
Vegetation loss reduces water infiltration, which increases surface runoff and lowers groundwater recharge.
Overgrazing causes loss of , which reduces soil fertility and makes it harder for plants to regrow.
Overgrazing causes loss of topsoil, which reduces soil fertility and makes it harder for plants to regrow.
How does overgrazing lead to biodiversity loss?
Overgrazing reduces plant cover, so native plant species struggle to regenerate, which disrupts the ecosystem balance for herbivores and predators that rely on healthy grasslands.
How does overgrazing contribute to desertification?
As plant cover is lost, soil is exposed to harsh sun and wind, which accelerates moisture loss, and the land loses its ability to retain nutrients and support life.
Define rotational grazing.
Rotational grazing is moving livestock between different grazing areas so that vegetation can recover naturally.
True or False?
Desertified land absorbs more carbon than healthy grassland.
False.
Desertified land absorbs less carbon, which reduces the planet's ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and so worsens climate change.
Why can desertification cause forced migration?
People who depend on grazing lands may be displaced because land degradation means the land can no longer support crops or livestock.
Sustainable rates limit the number of animals grazing in one area, which prevents excessive plant removal.
Sustainable stocking rates limit the number of animals grazing in one area, which prevents excessive plant removal.
How does planting native grasses and trees help prevent desertification?
Reforestation and reseeding restore vegetation and stabilize soil, which increases biodiversity and reduces erosion.
Which greenhouse gas emissions are lowered by reducing meat consumption?
Reducing meat consumption lowers emissions of CO₂, methane, and N₂O, because livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gases.
How does reducing meat consumption help conserve freshwater?
Meat production requires large amounts of water for drinking, feed crops, and processing, so eating less meat helps preserve freshwater resources.
True or False?
Diets with less red and processed meat are associated with a higher risk of heart disease.
False.
Diets with less red and processed meat are associated with lower risks of heart disease, obesity, and certain cancers.
How does reducing meat consumption help prevent antibiotic resistance in humans?
Eating less meat means less reliance on antibiotics in livestock, which helps prevent antibiotic resistance and leaves fewer residues in food.
How does reducing meat consumption help global food security?
Producing plant-based foods is generally more efficient and cost-effective than raising livestock, so less resource-intensive animal farming helps global food security.
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