More than 99 percent of the world's food supply comes from the land, while less than 1 percent is from oceans and other aquatic habitats. The continued production of an adequate food supply is directly dependent on ample fertile land, fresh water and energy. As the human population grows, the requirements for these resources also grow. Even if these resources are never depleted, on a per capita basis they will decline significantly because they must be divided among more people. At present, fertile agricultural land is being lost at an alarming rate. The shortage of productive fertile land combined with decreasing land productivity is the major cause of current food shortages.
Water is another critical item for all crops. Massive amount of water is required during the growing season for cultivation. In fact, agricultural production consumes more fresh water than any other human activity. In many countries, people are facing shortage of fresh water. Competition for water resources among individuals, regions, countries and associated human activities are already occurring with the current world population. Water resources, critical for irrigation, are under great stress as populous cities, states, and countries require and withdraw more water from rivers, lakes, and aquifers every year. A major threat to maintaining future water supplies is the continuing over-use of surface and ground water resources.
Question 1: What percentage of the world's food supply comes from oceans and other aquatic habitats?
Answer: Less than 1 percent of the world's food supply comes from oceans and other aquatic habitats, as stated in the passage.
Question 2: Why is the continued production of an adequate food supply directly dependent on certain resources?
Answer: The continued production of an adequate food supply is directly dependent on ample fertile land, fresh water, and energy, as mentioned in the passage.
Question 3: What is the main cause of current food shortages, according to the paragraph?
Answer: The shortage of productive fertile land combined with decreasing land productivity is identified as the major cause of current food shortages.
Question 4: How does agricultural production impact the availability of fresh water?
Answer: Agricultural production consumes more fresh water than any other human activity, highlighting its significant impact on the availability of fresh water.
Question 5: What is one major threat to maintaining future water supplies mentioned in the passage?
Answer: The continuing over-use of surface and ground water resources is highlighted as a major threat to maintaining future water supplies.
