What can be a drawback of monoculture farming?

Monoculture farming involves growing a single crop species over a wide area for consecutive seasons. One significant drawback of this practice is the higher risk of pest outbreaks. When only one type of crop is cultivated, it creates a large, uniform habitat that can support the rapid proliferation of specific pests and diseases that target that particular crop. This lack of diversity means that if a pest or disease arrives, it can spread quickly and extensively, leading to substantial crop damage and the potential for economic losses.

In contrast, systems with more biodiversity can help break pest cycles and reduce the overall population of pests, as natural predators and different crop rotations can create a more balanced ecosystem. Thus, the uniformity of monoculture increases vulnerability to outbreaks, making it a critical factor to consider in agricultural practices.