Describe one cultural practice that can prevent pest infestations.

Crop rotation is an effective cultural practice that can significantly prevent pest infestations by altering habitats and breaking pest life cycles. When different types of crops are planted in succession on the same land, it disrupts the habitats that pests are adapted to. Many pests are specialized to feed on specific plants; therefore, changing the plant type can reduce the prevalence of these pests.

For example, if a crop is susceptible to a particular pest, switching to a different crop that this pest does not feed on will decrease the likelihood of that pest surviving and reproducing in that environment. This practice not only helps in managing pest populations but also improves soil health and fertility over time.

Using pesticides, introducing non-native species, or ignoring pest behavior do not inherently enhance the ecological balance or sustainability of the agricultural ecosystem and may lead to more problems in the long term, such as pesticide resistance or the introduction of invasive species that can harm local ecosystems.