Too many people to be supported by available resources
e.g. Bangladesh
1 of 15
What is Underpopulation?
Too few people to sustainably + optimally utilise the resources
e.g. Canada
2 of 15
Think of the Effects of Overpopulation
.
3 of 15
Think of the Effects of Underpopulation
.
4 of 15
What is Optimum Population?
When a population reaches its highest standard of living.
i.e. Number of people = Available resources
Balance
5 of 15
How do we assess whether a place is overpopulated?
Concept of carrying capacity
6 of 15
How do we assess whether a place is over populated?
Concept of carrying capacity
7 of 15
Carrying Capacity
The ability of an area to support its population through its resources.
An area reaches its carrying capacity when population reaches max level that resources can support at a given level of technology.
8 of 15
Population theories to help understand carrying capacity
Malthusian Theory - pessimistic view
Boserup Theory - Positive view
9 of 15
Malthusian Theory
Population is growing faster than amount of food that we can produce. We are Doomed. Future war or famine wipes out % of population.
10 of 15
Boserup Theory
Food production can & will increase to match needs of population.
Threat of starvation + feeding more mouths lead people to improve their farming methods & invent new technologies in order to produce more food.
11 of 15
Evidence to support Boserup
The Green Revolution
12 of 15
What is the Green Revolution?
Shift in agriculture away from small, family operated farms to large, industrial-scale agribusiness
- Increased use of mechanisation, GM crops, irrigation, fertilizers & pesticides
13 of 15
Pros to Green Revolution
+ Greatly increases efficiency of lands, short-term profitability & food supplies
+ Decreased world hunger
+ Increase in Earth's carrying capacity for humans
14 of 15
Cons to Green Revolution
- Bring negative Consequences
e.g. soil erosion, loss in biodiversity, ground & surface water contamination
15 of 15
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What is Underpopulation?
Back
Too few people to sustainably + optimally utilise the resources
e.g. Canada
Comments
No comments have yet been made