The effects of agriculture's environmental externalities on food systems
A healthy environment is essential for the proper functioning of both natural and cultivated ecosystems and, as such, plays a major role in food systems. Many different sources, including the agricultural sector itself, emit and accumulate pollutants in different environmental compartments (soil, water and air). When there are excessive pollutant levels, ecological functioning is hampered by eroded biodiversity, disrupted nutrient cycling, toxicity and depleted soil fertility, and can lead to reduced yields and contaminated food products. Many pollutants end up in water through leaching and run-off and have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems, reducing fish and seafood stocks. Pollutants can also contaminate the food chain and cause food toxicity risks, and this is particularly true when pollutants undergo gradual biological concentration along the food chain.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | book_section biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
CIRAD
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| Subjects: | P02 - Pollution, F08 - Systèmes et modes de culture, S50 - Santé humaine, production alimentaire, système de production, système de culture, pollution par l'agriculture, impact sur l'environnement, sécurité alimentaire, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3025, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_a175b273, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1971, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_28744, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_24420, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10967, |
| Online Access: | http://agritrop.cirad.fr/593639/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/593639/1/ID593639.pdf |
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| Summary: | A healthy environment is essential for the proper functioning of both natural and cultivated ecosystems and, as such, plays a major role in food systems. Many different sources, including the agricultural sector itself, emit and accumulate pollutants in different environmental compartments (soil, water and air). When there are excessive pollutant levels, ecological functioning is hampered by eroded biodiversity, disrupted nutrient cycling, toxicity and depleted soil fertility, and can lead to reduced yields and contaminated food products. Many pollutants end up in water through leaching and run-off and have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems, reducing fish and seafood stocks. Pollutants can also contaminate the food chain and cause food toxicity risks, and this is particularly true when pollutants undergo gradual biological concentration along the food chain. |
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