Population ecology Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is population ecology?
Population ecology is how humans interact with their environment to change in number over space and time.
Define carrying capacity.
The carrying capacity is the maximum stable population size that an environment can support.
What is the optimum population?
The optimum population is the perfect balance between population and resources that maximises income per capita.
How has global population grown in the past 200 years
exponentially over the past 200 years
What is an ecological footprint?
An ecological footprint is a measure of a person’s or group’s use of natural resources, expressed in global hectares.
Define overpopulation.
Overpopulation is a situation where the population exceeds the carrying capacity of an area.
What factors determine the Earth’s carrying capacity?
The Earth’s carrying capacity is determined by: size of the population, level of resource consumption, technological innovation, and level of wealth.
are countries with a low dependency ratio more likely to develop resources efficiently.
yes
Define underpopulation.
Underpopulation is a situation where the population is below the optimum level for utilising available resources.
What does the term overshoot mean in relation to Earth’s resources?
The term overshoot in relation to Earth’s resources means using more resources than the planet can sustainably provide.
Define positive feedback loop in the context of population growth.
A positive feedback loop in population growth occurs when a change in one factor leads to a further increase in population, creating a reinforcing cycle.
What is the population, resources and pollution model?
The population, resources and pollution model is a systems approach that conveys the relationship between humans and their environment.
What is the Malthusian perspective on population growth?
According to the Malthusian perspective, unless war, disease, or moral restraint prevent population growth from outpacing food production, poverty and famine will result.
What is the Neo-Malthusian perspective?
The Neo-Malthusian perspective is an updated version of Malthus’ theory, emphasising environmental limits and advocating for population control measures.
Define a negative feedback loop in the context of population growth.
A negative feedback loop in population growth occurs when a change in one factor leads to a decrease in population, helping to maintain equilibrium.
What is the Simon perspective on population growth?
The Simon perspective argues that human ingenuity and technological progress will always overcome resource limitations, allowing for continued population growth and improved living standards.
Define the systems approach.
A systems approach is a method of analysis that considers how different components interact and influence each other within a complex system.
What is one criticism of the Malthusian perspective?
One criticism of the Malthusian perspective is that it underestimates the human ability to increase food production through technological advancements.
