Final answer:
Environmental changes such as climate change, land degradation, ecological impacts from pollution, and overpopulation pressures can have severe negative effects on food production, leading to a need for sustainable food systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental changes that may have negative effects on food production include:
- Climate change impacts agro-climates and alters ecosystems, possibly changing the habitats of organisms essential for agriculture.
- Land degradation due to overuse and mismanagement, leading to soil erosion, soil compaction, loss of soil organic matter, and salinization, especially in areas with heavy irrigation.
- Ecological impacts such as non-point source water pollution from agricultural runoff, contributing to pesticide contamination in water supplies, eutrophication, and the creation of "dead zones."
- Pressure from overpopulation, leading to increased use of natural resources and agricultural intensification, causing a decrease in the productivity of farmlands.
The influence of these environmental changes on food production is significant, as they can lead to reduced crop yields, lower quality of agricultural land, and disruption in the balance of ecosystems that support agriculture. This triggers a pressing need to shift towards sustainable food systems that are resilient to such changes and capable of providing sufficient, healthy food with minimal environmental impact.