Food and the Future Environment

Summative Assessment

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Kansas Farm Case Study

Water is essential to growing food, and the source of water for food production is either naturally occurring precipitation or irrigation from surface or groundwater. The application of fertilizers and pesticides to crops results in the production of water pollution. We can incorporate water resources into our Coupled Human-Natural System diagram, where the climate of the natural system determines the availability of water for food production. The response in the human system is to develop irrigation systems where necessary and implement conservation and efficiency measures in time of scarcity. Also, application of fertilizers and pesticides results in water pollution, which impacts the water quality in the natural system.

schematic of Coupled Human-Natural System

Instructions

In the summative assessment for Module 4, you'll apply what you've learned about coupled human and natural water systems to a particular farming scenario in Pawnee County, Kansas. You'll consider the precipitation in Kansas, the crops you could grow with that precipitation and then look at crop yields for different crops using irrigation. Finally, you'll consider the impact on water resources if you were to shift the types of crops grown and irrigation practices on a farm in Pawnee County, KS. The assignment is explained in the worksheet below.

Submitting your Assignment

After completing the worksheet, please take the assessment quiz in Canvas.

Grading Information and Rubric (not applicable for online course; grading rubric for in-class assessment activity).

Rubric
Criteria Possible Points
Part 1: Precipitation
Precipitation rates from map are correct 2
Part 2: Crops
List of crops correctly represents crops that could be grown with natural precipitation 4
Part 3: Irrigation Efficiency and Crop Yield
Scenario table correctly populated with results from the Crop Water Allocator 14
Part 4: Discussion and Synthesis
Includes correct usage of the concept of water footprints and connection between diet and water consumption. 5
Clearly explains connections between farming, water scarcity, dead zones, and irrigation efficiency. Also demonstrates clearly the connection between increased water consumption and impacts to water resources, including quality and quantity impacts, such as nutrient pollution and groundwater depletions. 10
Well-written, proper spelling and grammar, and uses complete and well-crafted sentences. 2
Logical presentation of topics. Reasonable length. 3
TOTAL 40