T3. Principles of population ecology + human populations

Question 1

What are the key population dynamics?

Answer 1

• Optimum population = the ideal relationship between population and resources
• Overpopulation = to many people in relation to resources available
• Under population = to few people for resources to be used effectively

Question 2

Explain the idea of carrying capacity?

Answer 2

• Carrying capacity = the maximum population the surrounding environment can sustain – these impacts on the way humans can live as a population nears the carrying capacity waste must be reduced
• This is becoming more of an issue as consumption is increasing and implications are CC, degradation of ecosystems, specie extinction.

Question 3

Describe the population, resources and pollution model?

Answer 3

• Idea that resource consumption is a feedback loop and a form of Homeostasis
• Positive and negative feedback
• Population leads to resource Aquisition, which causes both resource use and pollution so intern impacting on population gain.
• Another feedback mechanism is when pop increases so does environmental resistance causing food shortages leading to fall in populations

Question 4

Explain the 2 opposing theories for population growth and future?

Answer 4

Malthus + Neo Malthusian:
- 1800s, pessimist, highly religious
- Idea that population grows exponentially but food grows arithmetically so carrying capacity can only support certain population sizes
- Supported by Elrich whose book ‘population bomb’ said there were 800million people undernourished.

Boserup:
- Necessity is the mother of invention
- Backed by Simons theory that natural materials have become less scares and air in richer nations is safer to breath + water is cleaner. GM GR crops