Roundup Ready Crops

Pros of Roundup Ready Crops

/ Glyphosate essentially kills any plant, so random distributing of the product would kill every plant exposed. Initially, many farmers were forced into position where they had to use Roundup as a herbicide or a weed killer, but were limited to apply Roundup only around their planting area to prevent killing of favorable crops. However, new development from Monsanto Corporation was able to produce seeds and genetically modify plants to be resistant to glyphosate. This progress proved to be extremely effective as it allowed farmers to directly apply glyphosate on the fields, instead of just around them, killing every plant except those that are resistant.This is important because weeds and unwanted plants compete for essential nutrients, light and water. Competition for these vital resources, weeds deter optimum growth of favorable plants.

Summarize the benefits of Roundup and Roundup Ready Crops

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Cons of Roundup Ready Crops

Glyphosate also has several environmental effects, specifically on both land and aquatic environments, on a larger scale, can affect entire ecosystems. When herbicides leaked into bodies of water, lethal effects to different aquatic organisms such as tadpoles and fish. In addition, when applied, glyphosate kills plants in any area where it is distributed and plants also in their surrounding areas. The death of these living organisms, both on land and in water can have significant effects on a broader scale. For example, killing unwanted plants can have drastic effects affecting first insects, then birds and even small mammals. This interference of a food chain can lead to the destruction of entire ecosystems. Another major factor that needs to be taken into account is that due to subsequent use of Roundup in agriculture, weed resistance is a growing problem in the United States.


Monarch Butterfly Food Web

Prompt: Some animals are able to eat Monarch butterflies and caterpillars. Write 3 questions that you have about these animals.

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According to the food web, if the Monarch Butterfly goes extinct, which organism's population will be affected? ______

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How does energy transfers from organism to organism within an ecosystem?

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Where did the plants get it's energy from?______

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Categorize the organisms in the Monarch Butterfly ecosystem by their energy roles

3rd Level Consumers
2nd Level Consumers
1st Level Consumers
Producers
Decomposers