Key Idea: Topic 5.2 explores how humans produce food on land, the trade-offs of intensive vs extensive farming, the environmental impacts of agriculture, how diets affect sustainability, and strategies for sustainable agriculture + soil conservation.
🚜 Agriculture as a system
⚖️ Intensive vs extensive
Intensive: High yield per area. High inputs (fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, tech). Often higher pollution per hectare.
Extensive: Low yield per area. Low inputs, large land area. Risk: habitat loss from land expansion + overgrazing.
Use the debate: land sparing vs land sharing (depends on goals + context).