Populations study guide
HL Geography study guide
Unit 4: Patterns in resource consumption
Vocab
Carrying capacity the max. population size that an area can sustainably support given the current conditions and resources available
Population ceiling the point where Earth’s ability to support us is lower than our ability to produce more babies; acts as a barrier/lid to population growth
Optimum population when there’s a balance between the people in a country and the availability of its resources and technology, ensuring the highest possible SOL (e.g. Singapore’s gov believe it is 7 mil. [near])
Overpopulation
(lack of resources) when there are too many people given the available resources and technology for them to maintain adequate SOL (e.g. Bangladesh)
Under population
(surplus of resources) when there are more resources compared to the population – SOL is lower than it could potentially be; not enough people to properly exploit resources (e.g. Canada)
Carrying capacity can vary between natural environments
Bangladesh: 500 people per km2
Fertile soil
Delta: flood deposits silt
Sahel (band of countries south of Sahara): 10 people per km2
Dry and semi-arid (lack of rain)
Carrying capacity can be affected by technology
Enables countries to increase their CC
Malthus: English clergyman and economist
Pessimistic view on the dangers of overpopulation
Population grows geometrically; food supply arithmetically
Population held in check with:
“Preventative checks” – methods to reduce fertility (e.g. abstinence, delaying marriage)
“Positive checks” – anything that increases mortality (war, disease)
Neo-Malthusians:
Population growth would put pressure on land, so more marginal land must be cultivated economic development slows down******
Paul Erhlich
Famous Neo-Malthusian concerned that checks are diminishing as healthcare and sanitation improve
The Club of Rome
Manages population growth, use of resources
Emphasis on food production and conservation
Unit 4: Patterns in resource consumption
Vocab
Carrying capacity the max. population size that an area can sustainably support given the current conditions and resources available
Population ceiling the point where Earth’s ability to support us is lower than our ability to produce more babies; acts as a barrier/lid to population growth
Optimum population when there’s a balance between the people in a country and the availability of its resources and technology, ensuring the highest possible SOL (e.g. Singapore’s gov believe it is 7 mil. [near])
Overpopulation
(lack of resources) when there are too many people given the available resources and technology for them to maintain adequate SOL (e.g. Bangladesh)
Under population
(surplus of resources) when there are more resources compared to the population – SOL is lower than it could potentially be; not enough people to properly exploit resources (e.g. Canada)
Carrying capacity can vary between natural environments
Bangladesh: 500 people per km2
Fertile soil
Delta: flood deposits silt
Sahel (band of countries south of Sahara): 10 people per km2
Dry and semi-arid (lack of rain)
Carrying capacity can be affected by technology
Enables countries to increase their CC
Malthus: English clergyman and economist
Pessimistic view on the dangers of overpopulation
Population grows geometrically; food supply arithmetically
Population held in check with:
“Preventative checks” – methods to reduce fertility (e.g. abstinence, delaying marriage)
“Positive checks” – anything that increases mortality (war, disease)
Neo-Malthusians:
Population growth would put pressure on land, so more marginal land must be cultivated economic development slows down******
Paul Erhlich
Famous Neo-Malthusian concerned that checks are diminishing as healthcare and sanitation improve
The Club of Rome
Manages population growth, use of resources
Emphasis on food production and conservation