Answer to Question 1
Some scholars contend that organic production requires more land and more labor to produce the same amount of products grown using conventional means. Any increase in food production will come about in either one of two methods. One is to clear new land and increase the number of acres under cultivation; or two, grow more food and fiber on the land currently under production. The concern raised over organic production is that the use of these practices will necessitate the clearing of more land. As more land is cleared, the loss of wildlife habitat will increase. Most of the new land being cleared is through the slash and burn methods used in the tropical areas. A large portion of the land cleared is poor quality and highly susceptible to erosion. However, through the use of more intensive farming, less new land will have to be put into production.
Answer to Question 2
Plants have self-defense mechanisms that produce natural toxins to help ward off insects. If attacked by pests, the plants release these substances as a result of the stress caused by the insects or disease. These natural toxins can be many times the amount contained in plants that were protected by pesticides.
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