Chapter 19 Agricultural and Related Technology
435
poisoning. Large amounts of radiation
must be used, however. Many people are
not sure whether or not it is safe. People
generally do not like the term radiation, so
this process is still not very common in the
United States.
Artificial
Ecosystems
Artificial ecosystems are human-
made complexes reproducing some facets
of the natural environment. They can be
used to study agricultural processes and
systems as these processes and systems
would be useful to biological ecosys-
tems. Some examples of artificial ecosys-
tems are terrariums and the hydroponics
stations discussed earlier. These ecosys-
tems function as part of a larger closed
system supporting living organisms.
A terrarium is used to nurture plant or
animal life in an enclosed environment.
This ecosystem acts as a complete habitat
using all the systems of life, such as food,
water, shelter, and space. Terrariums can
be used for decoration and enjoyment.
They can also be used, however, to study
the ways in which the elements of an
ecosystem depend on one another. Some
greenhouses can be considered large-
scale terrariums. They can be used to
grow plants and animals in areas differing
from the natural habitats of these plants
and animals. See Figure 19-36.
A hydroponics station is used to grow
plants in a mineral nutrient solution, instead
of soil. Similar to terrariums, these stations
are controlled environments supplying the
light, humidity, food, and water the plants
need for growth. They are an alternative
to traditional agriculture for farmers in
areas with poor soil or where plants are
grown year-round in confined areas. See
Figure 19-37. Using hydroponics stations,
Figure 19-36. Artificial ecosystems, such as
this greenhouse, allow plants to grow in controlled
environments. (Agricultural Research Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Figure 19-37. This worker is picking strawberries
grown using hydroponics. (Ken Hammond)
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Chapter 19 Agricultural and Related Technology
435
poisoning. Large amounts of radiation
must be used, however. Many people are
not sure whether or not it is safe. People
generally do not like the term radiation, so
this process is still not very common in the
United States.
Artificial
Ecosystems
Artificial ecosystems are human-
made complexes reproducing some facets
of the natural environment. They can be
used to study agricultural processes and
systems as these processes and systems
would be useful to biological ecosys-
tems. Some examples of artificial ecosys-
tems are terrariums and the hydroponics
stations discussed earlier. These ecosys-
tems function as part of a larger closed
system supporting living organisms.
A terrarium is used to nurture plant or
animal life in an enclosed environment.
This ecosystem acts as a complete habitat
using all the systems of life, such as food,
water, shelter, and space. Terrariums can
be used for decoration and enjoyment.
They can also be used, however, to study
the ways in which the elements of an
ecosystem depend on one another. Some
greenhouses can be considered large-
scale terrariums. They can be used to
grow plants and animals in areas differing
from the natural habitats of these plants
and animals. See Figure 19-36.
A hydroponics station is used to grow
plants in a mineral nutrient solution, instead
of soil. Similar to terrariums, these stations
are controlled environments supplying the
light, humidity, food, and water the plants
need for growth. They are an alternative
to traditional agriculture for farmers in
areas with poor soil or where plants are
grown year-round in confined areas. See
Figure 19-37. Using hydroponics stations,
Figure 19-36. Artificial ecosystems, such as
this greenhouse, allow plants to grow in controlled
environments. (Agricultural Research Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Figure 19-37. This worker is picking strawberries
grown using hydroponics. (Ken Hammond)

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