User:ConnorLyons/sandbox



Overview

Altitudinal farming is a theoretical approach towards expanding agriculture by developing potential farmland at high altitude. The reality of farming at higher altitudes might be made possible by a warmer and more CO2 rich environment predicted for the future.[2] The practice of farming at higher elevations would be practical due to a higher demand on the world food supply. Since current food production rates in 2012 will not provide enough food for the 9 billion people expected to be living on the planet in 2050, it is believed that altitudinal farming would help aid world hunger in the future.[1]

Application

Altitudinal farming may have important implications in the future, as many agriculture areas across the world are expanding to maximum capacity.[1] Scientists conducting FACE (Free-air [CO2] enrichment) experiments believe that future farming can be done at higher altitudes, adding area in which crops can be grown, with the increase in temperature and atmospheric [CO2].[2] Species of wheat and soybean that are major food sources around the world show capabilities of growing at high altitude in FACE experiments. Although not possible in 2012, FACE experiments show promising leads toward making altitudinal farming a common practice. [2,3]

Limitations

Altitudinal farming involves many limitations and potential hazards as climate and conditions tend to be less suitable for plant growth. Some of these factors include: CO2 concentration, temperature, wind, humidity, sun exposure, and soil quality. [4] Concentration of CO2

(fill) Temperature

(fill) Wind

(fill) Humidity

(fill) Sun Exposure

(fill) Soil Quality

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References

1.Ainsworth, Elizabeth A. et al. Next generation of elevated [CO(2)] experiments with crops: a critical investment for feeding the future world. Source: Plant Cell and Environment Volume: 31  Issue: 9   Pages: 1317-1324 Published: SEP 2008. Web of Science.

2. Hao, X. Y.; Han, X.; Lam, S. K. Effects of fully open-air [CO2] elevation on leaf ultrastructure, photosynthesis, and yield of two soybean cultivars. Photosynthetica: Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Pages: 362-370 Published: SEP 2012. Annual Reviews.

3. Li, C.; Zhang, H.; Lin, D. RESPONSE OF WINTER WHEAT TRITICUM-SATIVUM CULTIVAR FENGMAI-13 TO THE CLIMATE AT DIFFERENT ALTITUDES 3. SOME PHOTOSYNTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PLANT. Acta                        Botanica Yunnanica. Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Pages: 11-16 Published: 1985. Web of Knowledge.

4. Ngai, Jackie; Jefferies, Robert L. N- and P-limitation in an arctic salt marsh: Effects on plant growth and stoichiometry. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting Abstract. Volume: 87 Pages: 224 Published: 2002. Web of Science.