Figure 12 shows the human population from 1600 to 2010 - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 9 - 2020 - Paper 1

More land is being used for farming primarily due to increased food demands from a growing population. As the global population rises, the need for sufficient food supply becomes critical. This has led to the expansion of agricultural areas, often into previously undeveloped or natural landscapes, to ensure that food production can meet consumption needs.

Increased farming practices can lead to decreased biodiversity through habitat destruction. As land is converted for agriculture, various ecosystems are disrupted, leading to a loss of native plant and animal species. Additionally, monoculture farming, which focuses on growing a single crop over large expanses, reduces the variety of life in that area, making it vulnerable to pests and diseases, further threatening local biodiversity.

Golden rice has improved nutritional value, specifically enriched with Vitamin A, which can help combat deficiencies in populations that rely predominantly on rice as their staple food.

Some people are concerned about the use of golden rice due to potential environmental impacts of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on local ecosystems and biodiversity. There are also concerns regarding health effects and the long-term consequences of consuming genetically modified foods.