Advantages and Disadvantages of Intensive Farming Methods

Advantages of Intensive Farming Methods:

High Output: Intensive farming maximises production of crops and livestock, enabling high levels of output from small areas of land.
Economically Beneficial: It typically provides a higher yield per unit of land, making it profitable for farmers. It may also contribute positively to the economy of the region.
Technological Advancements: This approach often incorporates high-tech machinery, providing opportunities for scientific and technological advancements in the field of farming.
Efficient Use of Resources: It involves precise control over irrigation, fertilisation, and pest-control measures, thus making efficient use of these resources.

Disadvantages of Intensive Farming Methods:

Environmental Degradation: This type of farming can cause significant environmental harm. Intensive use of fertilisers and pesticides often leads to soil and water pollution.
Loss of Biodiversity: Intensive farming can reduce biodiversity by promoting monoculture (growing of single crops) and through the excessive use of pesticides which can harm non-target species.
Animal Welfare Concerns: Intensive livestock farming, which often involves keeping animals in confined spaces, raises issues related to animal welfare and ethics.
Imbalance in the Ecosystem: Such farming methods can disrupt the ecosystem, affecting the balance between different species.
Risk of Antibiotic Resistance: Frequent use of antibiotics in intensive livestock farming can contribute to the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Integrating this knowledge into your revision for the Ecosystems and Human Impact on the Environment topic should strengthen your understanding of how human actions can significantly affect the environment and biodiversity.