Monoculture Leads to Monoforest

A monoculture, simply put, is when an area of land has been planted with only one type of plant. Monoculture systems are primarily utilized in farming such as corn, wheat, rice, alfalfa, etc. Sure, it may seem more economic to plant all of one crop to maximize yields and profits of the crops. However, there are more risks and problems associated with monoculture farming that make it less attractive (figuratively and literally).

For instance, plants require different nutrients from the soil to grow; so when you plant the same plant year after year, which takes the same nutrients from the soil each year, the soil is depleted of nutrients. Specifically, many plants take nitrogen and by not planting “nitrogen affixing” plants like soy plants the need arises for chemical fertilizers (12). Furthermore, the application of fertilizers adds more health risks to surrounding inhabitants and watershed biodiversity due to runoff from the monoculture. Furthermore, monocultures are a massive target for particular species of weeds and insects that prey on that plant. For example, palm oil monocultures suffer from a variety of pests like the Rhinoceros beetle, Oil Palm wilt fungus, and the bacterial bud rot bacteria (13). Due to the close proximity of the plants in a monoculture, insects gather and bacteria and disease can spread rapidly. Thus, the use of herbicides and insecticides are increasing.

Additionally, palm oil (as well as some other crops) enhance the threat of deforestation. “Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses… such as for fuel, urbanization, product creation (paper, lumber, etc.), ranching for cattle, and food production” (palm oil) (14). Naturally, this is harmful and unpleasant to any nearby people.

Not only are there health problems associated with deforestation (such as respiratory issues, especially with slash and burn deforestation), but deforestation just doesn’t look good. Chopping down a forest to plant all of a particular crop may seem like a good idea economically; but the cost of maintaining it with fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, as well as the danger to the environment and surrounding inhabitants, make the cost a lot higher than the gains of a monoculture.