Population and the environment Flashcards
(91 cards)
1
Q
What is arable farming?
A
Focusing on growing crops
2
Q
What is irrigation?
A
the supply of water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels.
3
Q
What is pastoral farming?
A
Livestock
4
Q
What is subsitence farming?
A
Farming to meet minimal requirements
5
Q
What are the different forms of farming?
A
commercial, subsistence, intensive, extensive, arable, livestock, mixed farming.
6
Q
What is the mortality rate?
A
The number of deaths in a given period
7
Q
What is morbidity?
A
The rate of disease in a population
8
Q
What are vector-borne-diseases?
A
Diseases that can be passed between individuals by parasites
9
Q
Definition of health?
A
Someone’s state of physical well-being as well as mental.
10
Q
How is soil structured?
A
Through horizons
11
Q
What are the different horizons in soil?
A
O horizon (hummus) , A horizon ( Top soil/rich in organic matter), B horizon (subsoil), C horizon (weathered rock)
12
Q
What are the different soil types?
A
Tropical Red Latosol, Podsol
13
Q
What is the global distribution of tropical red latosol soil?
A
Around the equator (Amazon)
14
Q
What are the characteristics of tropical red latosol soils?
A
-Low fertility (Low nutrients)
-Acidic ( acidic due to leaching
-Well-drained soils due to porous structure.
-Thin layer of organic matter on the surface because of rapid decomposition in hot, humid conditions.
15
Q
Where are Podsol soils located?
A
Cool and temperate climates
16
Q
What are the characteristics of podzol soils?
A
-Acidic soil (Pine needle/conifer leaf litter, O Horizon)
-Low fertility
-Nutrients are ‘leached’, by high precipitation rates
-Thin top soil/organic matter (cool climates slow down decomposition)
-Can lead to waterlogging (soil saturation)
17
Q
What are the problems facing podsol soils?
A
Logging (soil structure, increased leaching) , hill sheep farming (soil erosion, overgrazing, compaction), leaching
18
Q
What causes soil erosion?
A
Wind, water , deforestation farming
19
Q
What problems does soil erosion cause for agriculture?
A
Loss of arable land, loss of P soil
20
Q
What are some management against soil erosion?
A
Fast growing trees, contour ploughing , windbreaks, terraces/ small dams, mulching, new machines , crop rotation
21
Q
What are the management strategies for waterlogging?
A
Avoid irrigation, drainage with pipes
22
Q
What are the causes of salinisation?
A
Hot conditions, too much irrigation, drying out, not enough rainfall, draining water/leaving salt marsh behind.
23
Q
What are the problems of salinisation for agriculture?
A
Saline conditions, salt stops plants absorbing water
24
Q
What is the Green revolution?
A
The use of technology , pesticides to increase crop yields ( Norman Borlag-Pioneer)
25
What is aeroponics?
Growing crops in places with air
26
What is hydroponics?
Growing crops only using water/ no soil
27
Describe agriculture as a system
Inputs: physical, human
Outputs: Products from the farm
Processes: Farming methods inputs => outputs
open system: example , hill sharp farming
28
What are factors affecting agriculture?
Temperature, precipitation, wind & storm frequency, soil quality, relief variables (drainage)
29
What is extensive farming?
Low levels of input, however involves large areas of land
30
What is intensive farming?
Involves high investment in capital, producing high yields from small areas
31
What are strategies to ensure food security?
Irrigation=> crop yields
Green revolution (use of technology=> yields)
Other farming techniques ( aquaculture, aeroponics, hydroponics, reducing food waste, international agreements
32
What is the epidemiological transition model?
The Epidemiological Transition Model describes how disease patterns shift from infectious to chronic illnesses as societies develop and life expectancy increases.
33
What is the demographic dividend?
Economic growth resulting from an increase in a working population
34
What is the crude birth rate?
The number of live births each year per thousand of the population in an area.
35
What is the crude death rate?
The number of deaths each year per thousand of the population in an area.
36
What is infant mortality?
The number of babies who die before the age of one per thousand births per year.
37
What is natural change within a population?
The difference between the number of live births and deaths during a given time period (usually one year).
38
What is the replacement fertility rate?
The level of fertility at which a population exactly replaces itself from generation to generation
39
What is the total fertility rate?
A population is the average number of children that are born to a woman over her lifetime.
40
What is the demographic transition model?
how birth rate and death rate have influenced the total population of a place and changed over the years
41
What are the pros of the DTM?
very easy to understand, shows simple change over time, can be easily compared between different countries across the world, and shows how population and development relate
42
What are the negatives of the DTM?
Does not show cultural beliefs, no reference to migration, HIV/AIDs has had an influence, does not show TIGER countries
Does not take into consideration policies such as the one child policy
43
What is the carrying capacity
Total number of people an environment can support
44
What is the ecological footprint?
How fast we consume resources & generate waste compared to how much we produce
45
What is the ecological footprint measured in?
Global hectares
46
What is the biotic potential?
The natural reproductive potential of the species
47
What are density independent factors?
Environmentally limiting factors which aren't affected by population size and density. E.g a Hurricane displacing a whole population.
48
What are density dependant factors?
Food supply scarcity & disease will become more prelevant
49
What are the main soil problems?
Soil erosion, structural deterioration and salinisation
50
What is neo-Malthusianism?
Neo-Malthusianism is the belief that population growth must be controlled to prevent resource depletion, environmental degradation, and economic collapse.
51
What is Boserup's theory in regards to population growth
Boserup's theory argues that population growth drives agricultural innovation, leading to increased food production and preventing resource scarcity.
52
What is Dissertification?
Desertification is the process where fertile land becomes desert due to factors like drought, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices.
53
How much percent of the world will live in cities by 2050?
68%
54
What are factors that affect the fertility rate?
Economic factors, pro-natalism vs anti-natalism , age & fertility, infant mortality rates, healthcare, social and cultural factors
55
What are examples of NCDs?
Diabetes, Cancer, CHD, chronic respiratory
56
What are examples of degenerative diseases?
cancer, dementia, heart disease
57
What is the "4:2:1 issue" in China?
A demographic problem where one child supports two parents and four grandparents due to the one-child policy.
58
What caused China's ageing population problem?
Decline in birth rate and increased life expectancy, worsened by the one-child policy.(1979(
59
What is "replacement rate"?
The fertility rate needed to maintain a population (about 2.1 children per woman). China is below this at 1.1.8
60
What is the "demographic dividend"?
Economic boost from a large working-age population and low dependency ratio.
61
What are "dependency ratios"?
The ratio of non-working (young/old) to working population.
Low dependency: More workers, like China (historically).
High dependency: Fewer workers, e.g., Brazil/Mexico.
62
What % of China's population lives in eastern China?
94% (6% in West),
63
What does "inter-regional migration" refer to?
Movement of people between regions, especially from rural to urban areas in China.
64
What economic sector did China shift towards?
Tertiary sector (services). (from agricultural)
65
What are DINKs?
"Dual Income, No Kids" couples, contributing to low birth rates.
66
What is the dependency ratio?
the relationship between the economically active population and the non-economically active population
67
What are some reasons for the demographic dividend?
-youthful workforce
-workers with few children invest their money
-women are more likely to enter the workforce
-salaried workforce become consumers
68
How can economic migrants contribute to achieving a demographic dividend?
Economic migrants increase the working-age population, boosting labour supply.
This can accelerate economic growth during the demographic window of opportunity.
Migration can help balance an ageing population and support the dependency ratio.
If supported by education, health, and job creation, migration enhances chances of a first demographic dividend.
Can help sustain productivity levels even as fertility declines.
69
Why might economic migration hinder a country from achieving a demographic dividend?
Migration may increase the fertility rate, raising the dependency ratio.
A larger labour force alone is insufficient without effective family planning and social policies.
Over-reliance on migrants may distract from structural reforms needed to achieve a second demographic dividend.
High out-migration from origin countries can leave them with ageing populations and fewer workers.
Some argue that reducing fertility, not encouraging migration, is the key to realising a demographic dividend.
70
What is the main type of farming in podsol areas?
Pastoral (sheep grazing), forestry (conifer plantations), some root crops that are adapted (rye, oats)
- poor for intensive farming (low nutrients and acidity)
71
What are the main agricultural activities in red latosol areas?
-Slash and burn (can increase fertility)
-crops often planted (palm oil, rubber , cocoa , coffee/deep rooted crops)
-cattle ranching in the Amazon
72
What are some advantages of the green revolution?
-Increased crop yields
-reduced famine and hunger
-economic growth
73
Disadvantages of the green revolution?
-fertilisers and pesticides are expensive
-Some crops require weed control (HYVs)
-Mechanism has led to rural unemployment in some parts
74
How does crop irrigation increase crop yields?
Crop irrigation can significantly increase crop yields by ensuring that plants receive the water they need to grow efficiently, especially in regions or periods with irregular or insufficient rainfall
75
What is stage one/ characteristics DTM?
Stage 1 – High Stationary:
Birth rate: High
Death rate: High
Population growth: Stable or slow
Reasons: Poor healthcare, famine, disease, no family planning
Example: Pre-industrial societies (e.g. Amazon tribes)
76
Stage 2 of the DTM/characteristics?
Early Expanding:
Birth rate: High
Death rate: Falling rapidly
Population growth: Rapid increase
Reasons: Improved healthcare, sanitation, and food supply
Example: Kenya (Developing countries)
77
Stage 3 of the DTM/ characteristics?
Stage 3 – Late Expanding:
Birth rate: Falling
Death rate: Falls more slowly
Population growth: Slows down
Reasons: Family planning, lower infant mortality, urbanisation
Example: Emerging economies (e.g. India, Brazil)
78
Examples of stage 4 DTM/ characteristics?
Stage 4 – Low Stationary:
Birth rate: Low
Death rate: Low
Population growth: Stable or slow increase
Reasons: Careers, contraception, lifestyle changes
Example: Most developed countries (e.g. UK, USA)
79
Characteristics of stage 5 of DTM/characteristics?
Stage 5 – Declining (optional/modern addition):
Birth rate: Very low
Death rate: Low or rising slightly
Population growth: Decline
Reasons: Ageing population, economic uncertainty
Example: Japan, Germany
80
What would Stage 6 of the Demographic Transition Model look like?
Birth rate: Stabilises at a very low level or begins to rise slightly (due to policy or cultural shifts)
Death rate: May rise due to ageing population, disease, or climate impacts
Population growth: Could stabilise, rise slowly, or continue declining
Key features:
Ageing populations dominate
Shrinking workforce
Pressure on pensions, healthcare, and immigration policy
Urban decline or population redistribution
81
Why could a stage 6 occur in DTM?
Pro-natalist policies succeed (e.g. in France or Hungary)
Technological and healthcare advances keep elderly alive longer
Climate change or global crises impact food supply, health, and migration
Artificial intelligence and automation reduce need for a large workforce
Cultural shifts favour smaller families or later parenting
82
What is stage one of the epidemiological transition model (ETM)?
Age of Pestilence and Famine
83
Stage two of the ETM?
Age of Receding Pandemics
84
Stage three of the ETM?
Age of Degenerative and Man-Made Diseases
85
Stage four of the ETM?
Age of Delayed Degenerative Diseases
86
Stage five of the ETM?
Age of Re-emerging Infections (optional/future stage)
87
How does agriculture affect the soil?
-Increased soil erosion (Over-ploughing, lack of ground cover, overgrazing)
-Soil Degradation
-Chemical pollution
-Salinization
-Soil compaction
88
What factors contribute to spatial variation in regards to migration?
-Transport accessibility
-Political stability and safety
-Economic opportunities
-Conflict zones
-Social networks (diaspora)
89
What are some push factors in regards to migration?
-Environmental (Pacific islands)
-Politics/war
-Lack of economic opportunity
90
What are some pull factors in regards to migration?
-Economic opportunity
-Quality of life
-Family/social reasons
91
Assess the importance of improvements in health and food security in explaining changes in fertility rates?
-Increased food security / reduced fertility (replacement births)
-Overpopulation, pressure on food security , may lead to increased fertility (replacement births)
-HIC, eco. growth , lower fertility rates
