Sub-Group A: Fertilizers and their Environmental Effects

Task 1 (Sub-Group A):

Fill in the table below, as a basis for a graphic representation on the environmental effects of NPK fertilizer.

1. Examine effects of NPK fertilizers (independent variable) on different aspects of oil palm plantations as ecosystem (dependent variables). Proceed as described on the next page.
2. Add further variables to the table.
3. Take notes on parts and terms in the articles which did not become clear for you and which you would like to discuss with your team members later.

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Potential Sources: Fertilizers and their Environmental Effects

Find information on NPK fertilizers and their effects on different aspects of oil palm plantations as ecosystem from different sources. Use the information to fill in the table. Each of you should skim (smart reading) at least one of the scientific articles below. Beyond that, you can search in the other given sources and look for further information online or in the library.

Introductory Source:

• Tudi, M., Daniel Ruan, H., Wang, L., Lyu, J., Sadler, R., Des Connell, . . . Phung, D. T. (2021). Agriculture Development, Pesticide Application and Its Impact on the Environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3)

Core Scientific Articles:

• Ashton-Butt, A., Aryawan, A. A. K., Hood, A. S. C., Naim, M., Purnomo, D., Suhardi, . . . Snaddon, J. L. (2018). Understory Vegetation in Oil Palm Plantations Benefits Soil Biodiversity and Decomposition Rates. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 1
• Formaglio, G., Veldkamp, E., Duan, X., Tjoa, A., & Corre, M. D. (2020). Herbicide weed control increases nutrient leaching compared to mechanical weeding in a large-scale oil palm plantation. Biogeosciences, 17(21), 5243–5262.
• Ryadin, A. R., Janz, D., Schneider, D., Tjoa, A., Irawan, B., Daniel, R., & Polle, A. (2022). Early Effects of Fertilizer and Herbicide Reduction on Root-Associated Biota in Oil Palm Plantations. Agronomy, 12(1), 199.

Hint: Do not spend too much time looking for and reading too many sources, rather concentrate on some exemplary reliable sources and follow the tips on reading scientific papers.