Physical Inputs
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 10.1.3
Physical Inputs to a Farming System
There are many inputs provided by the climate, weather and landscape that influence a farming system.
Climate
- Sunlight and water are needed for crops to grow.
- Different crops need different amounts of each.
- E.g. Rice needs lots of water, whereas wheat and barley need strong sunlight.
- Crops with too much water will rot underground.
- E.g. If potatoes get too wet they get a disease called potato blight.
- Crops with not enough water will die.
- If there is not enough rain, crops will need irrigation (artificially adding water to crops), which is a human input.
Soils
- Soils need a balance of the right amount of water, the correct depth and the right nutrients.
- Without these, soils cannot be used to grow crops.
Aspect
- Aspect refers to whether the land is exposed to sunshine or not.
- This is an important factor in hilly or mountainous areas, where there are large areas in shade.
- Animals like sheep can live on land in the shade, so they can be reared in these areas.
- Crops usually need exposure to sunshine, so they cannot be farmed in shady areas.
Relief
- Relief refers to the height and shape of the land.
- Machines are easier to use on flat land so flat land is better for crop farming.
- Terraces (steps) can be put into hills so that farmers can farm the land. Farmers then can’t use big machines though.
- The soil on steep slopes is thinner, which makes them worse for farming.
- Deeper soil can usually be found in valleys.
Drainage
- Loam and sandy soils are permeable, clay soils are not as permeable.
- Clay soils can keep more water in them.
- Sandy soils are more likely to be washed away so are more likely to lose their nutrients if it rains.
Test yourself on Physical Inputs
What disease do potatoes get if they get too wet?
Which word refers to whether the land is exposed to sunshine or not?