Sustainable Agriculture and Food: Four volume set (Earthscan Reference Collections)

74 Agricultural Harm to the Environment

Clearly, further research is needed on external costs of agriculture, including
detailed studies in each impact category, by geographical region and by production
type. Comparative valuation studies also would be instructive, i.e. examinations of

Table 3.4 (continued)

Indicator National valuation data for the US

Salinity

Transportation/navigation X

Water conveyance X

Water storage X

Water treatment X

Soil erosion by wind

Human health

Soiling

Visibility

Ground and surface water quality: risks

and state

Water treatment for pathogens, nitrates,

pesticides

Land conservation

Water retaining capacity

Off-farm sediment flow/soil retaining

capacity

Greenhouse gas emissions X

Biodiversity

Genetic diversity

Species diversity: wild, non-native Impacts to honeybees, beneficial predators,

fish, birds

Ecosystem diversity

Wildlife habitats

Intensively farmed agricultural habitats

Semi-natural agricultural habitats

Uncultivated natural habitats

Habitat matrix

Aquatic habitats

Landscapes

Structure

Environmental features, land-use

patterns

Man-made objects/cultural features

Management

Costs and benefits