4.3 Population Resource Relationships Flashcards
Human Geography
What is meant by ‘carrying capacity?’
The maximum amount of people an areas resources can support
How does resource development eg food production relate to technology and innovation ?
Technology/Innovation - eg Genetically modified crops ie wheat can support high yields and support more people
Know and understand how constraints ie war/climatic hazards link to population and resources
Climatic hazards- desertification
Desertification leads to a decrease in arable land ( ie in Sudan) which means there is less available land to grow crops which leads to an increase in deaths due to starvation
in wartime England men were away fighting so population growth was less.
there were less men to farm the land meaning that women took over this role to try and sustain food production
Explain and look critically at the concept of Overpopulation
Where the human population has risen to an extent it exceeds the carrying capacity of the ecological setting
give an example India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan Bangladesh and Brazil
Ie not enough transport, water, shelter, food or social amenities
Explain and look critically at the concept of Optimum Population
The population is able to balance maintaining a maximum population size with optimal standards of living for all people - it balances the needs of the society and the environment
* Denmark is considered to be at optimum level*
Explain and look critically at the concept of underpopulation
When a county’s population is fewer than required for development - Can lead to shortages of Human Resources and labour , an aging population , low economic growth
~Example countries are Iceland , Mongolia, Australia
Explain Food Security
When people have enough nutritious and affordable food to eat
What are some causes and consequences of food shortages?
Causes: Desertification, war, global warming
Consequences: Increase in mortality rate. Lower productivity.
Quote: Malthusian Theory - Thomas Malthus -1798
“Population is determined by food availability”