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Year 9 - Geography

The future: hydroponics and aquaponics

Natural resources: Can Earth meet our needs?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about the growing demand for natural resources and the different renewable and non-renewable ways humans try to meet their needs. Pupils will learn the impact of overexploitation and some of the ways natural resource exploitation can be managed.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to investigate how hydroponic and aquaponic systems function and explain their potential to revolutionise sustainable farming.

Key Notes

  • Hydroponics uses nutrient rich water to grow plants without soil.
  • Aquaponics uses water from fish farming to nourish plants.
  • They require fewer inputs: no soil, minimal water, less chemicals and produce higher yields than traditional farming.
  • In the Zaatari refugee camp, aquaponics provided over 70% increase in fresh food for farmers.
  • Hydro and aquaponics do have high setup costs, energy demands, and technical complexity, which can limit accessibility.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • hydroponics: using nutrient-rich water to grow plants without soil
  • aquaponics: using nutrient-rich water from the farming of aquatic animals to nourish plants
  • sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Hydroponic and aquaponic systems are completely self-sustaining or maintenance-free.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Hydroponics uses nutrient rich water to grow plants without soil. Aquaponics uses water from fish farming to nourish plants.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'hydroponics'

using nutrient-rich water to grow plants without soil.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Hydroponic and aquaponic systems are completely self-sustaining or maintenance-free. Correction: Require regular monitoring, energy inputs and human intervention to stay productive.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 Geography guide library.