# Monoculture is widely used in modern agriculture. Explain why farmers choose to grow crops as a monoculture and describe one negative effect this practice has on the surrounding ecosystem.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 20.1 Food supply · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Monoculture maximises efficiency / simplicity of farming
2. Only one species is grown, so machinery / harvesting / pesticide use can be standardised / applied uniformly, increasing yield
3. Monoculture reduces biodiversity because only one species of plant is grown
4. Loss of plant diversity disrupts food chains / reduces populations of other species (e.g. insects, birds) that depend on the removed plant species

## Key terms

- [monoculture](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/monoculture)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/monoculture-is-widely-used-in-modern-02dd088c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.