Agriculture and Environment: Orange Juice

Introduction

The production of oranges has two negative environmental impacts: the conversion of natural habitat for the establishment of orange groves and the use of inappropriate production practices which have impacts for as long as production occurs.

Significant changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functions result both from the conversion of natural habitat as well as the ongoing degradation of soil and the elimination of biodiversity within producing orange groves.

The degradation of soil also makes it more difficult for producers to use inputs (e.g., fertilisers, pesticides, and water) efficiently and to control the levels and contents of effluents coming from orange groves.