1.3 Population-resource relationships Flashcards
Population ceiling
Theoretical maximum number of people who can be supported by the available resources and level of technology in an area.
Ecological footprint
Sustainability indicator, which expresses the relationship between population and the natural environment. Accounts fro use of natural resources of a nation.
Biocapacity
Capacity on an area or ecosystem to generate an ongoing supply of resources and to absorb its wastes.
Global hectare
Equivalent to one hectare of biologically productive space with world average productivity
Carbon footprint
Total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organisation, event or product.
Overshoot
When humanity’s demand on nature exceeds the biosphere’s supply, or regenerative capaciy/
Green revolution
Introduction of high yielding seeds and modern agricultural techniques in developing countries.
Perennial crops
Crops that don’t die off once harvested, exist for years before reseeding is required.
Optimum population
One that achieves a given aim in the satisfactory way
Economic optimum
Level of population that, through the production of goods and services, provides the highest average standard of living.
Underpopulated
When there are too few people in an are to use the resources available efficiently
Overpopulated
When here are too many people in an area relative to the resources and the level of technology available
Optimum rhythm or growth
Level of population growth that best utilises the resources and technology available.
Population pressure
When population per unit are exceeds the carrying capacity
Neo-Malthusians
Pessimistic lobby who fear that population growth will outstrip resources, leading to the consequences predicted by Thomas Malthus.
