Agroecosystem

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/agroecosystem

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific basis?Forms the core unit of study in agroecology and regenerative agriculture
2. Why do agroecosystems use fertilizers and pesticides?Farmers add fertilizers and pesticides to help crops grow faster and keep pests away. These chemicals can make the farm more productive in the short term.
3. How can agroecosystems be made more sustainable?Farmers can use crop rotation, cover crops, intercropping, agroforestry, and integrated pest management. These ideas help the farm stay healthy and protect the environment.

Eutrophication: Enrichment of a water body with nutrients, often leading to excessive plant and algal growth.
Ecosystem Services: The benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems, such as clean air, water, and pollination.
Nutrient Cycling: The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the process of food production.