The Green Revolution and Fertilizer Impacts

Green revolution = increases in agricultural productivity  during mid- to late twentieth century
Increased food production
Devoting more energy
Greatly increasing use of irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides
Extensification = bringing more land into production
Intensification = better productivity per unit of land

Positive effects on natural resources
Reduced pressure to convert natural lands
Prevented deforestation and habitat conversion
Negative effects on natural resources
Intensive use of water, fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
Pollution
Erosion
Salinization
Desertification

Fertilizer Impacts
Inorganic – or industrial fertilizers are mined or synthetically manufactured mineral supplements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium)