Global Systems: Agriculture, Industry, and Environmental Dynamics

Heterogeneity in Solar Radiation and Astronomical Changes

The solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface has its maximum to the east of the Sahara and the polar icecaps. This topic also includes the smallest astronomical changes, such as changes to the Earth's axis and the slight variation in the distance from the Earth to the Sun.

Defining the Biosphere

The Biosphere stretches from the ocean depths to about 15 km above the land surface, and is the only part of the universe where life is known to exist.

Ecosystems and Communities

An Ecosystem is where many individuals of different species live within a physical environment and community.

Agricultural Systems

Subsistence Farming Systems

Subsistence farming systems do not create a surplus and yield no financial benefits. Their primary aim is to ensure sufficient food for the members of a community. These systems are common in *Africa, America, and Southeast Asia*.

Market Agricultural Systems in Developed Nations

Used in developed countries, these systems apply the latest technological advances to achieve maximum production in a minimum territory. Key technologies include:

• Chemical fertilizers
• Pesticides
• Technical engineering

The Green Revolution and Crop Improvement

The Green Revolution involved obtaining highly productive varieties (especially *cereals*) and applying mechanical and chemical technology in the field. This helped augment cereal production in the Third World and led to the improvement of crops in industrialized countries.

Industrial Location Factors

Factors influencing industrial location include:

• Provision of natural resources
• Availability of labor
• Market access
• Socioeconomic and political factors
• Local taxes or global political strategy

Defining the Global Industrial Belt

The Industrial Belt stretches from the west of the Urals in Europe, through Siberia, to the Far East. It continues to the west coast of North America and across to the Atlantic coast, which is where the highest concentration of U.S. industry is found.

Obstacles to Sustainable Industry

Achieving sustainable industry is difficult because certain processes (e.g., "pig lens") are very expensive, and there is often a lack of environmental sensitivity.

The Blue Revolution and Fisheries

The Blue Revolution

The Blue Revolution refers to the multiplication of fish withdrawals between the 1950s and 1970s, driven by the assumption of unlimited marine resources.

Aquaculture's Role

Aquaculture is utilized to help reduce the impact of traditional fishing on wild marine fisheries.

Sustainable Fisheries Management

Sustainable fisheries practices include:

• Prevention practices, control techniques, and gear management.
• Size regulations for fishing nets.
• Monitoring fish populations.
• Establishment of closures that allow the recovery of marine ecosystems.

The Dynamics and Impact of Mass Tourism

Mass tourism developed in industrialized countries starting in the 1950s. It provokes economic, geographical, and social consequences, often linked to factors like the lowering of transport costs.

Benefits of Tourism

Tourism contributes significantly to the country's economy and facilitates cultural contact.

Vulnerable Ecosystems

Ecosystems frequently damaged by tourism include mountain regions, coasts, and oceanic islands.

Negative Environmental Impacts

Negative impacts of tourism include:

• Reducing the extent of natural ecosystems
• Alteration of the soil
• Increasing waste
• Water pollution
• Loss of landscape quality

Alternative Forms of Tourism

Alternative forms of tourism include: Cultural tourism, green tourism, agrotourism, and rural tourism.