4.3 Population Resource Relationships

Question 1

What is meant by ‘carrying capacity?’

Answer 1

The maximum amount of people an areas resources can support

Question 2

How does resource development eg food production relate to technology and innovation ?

Answer 2

Technology/Innovation - eg Genetically modified crops ie wheat can support high yields and support more people

Question 3

Know and understand how constraints ie war/climatic hazards link to population and resources

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Explain and look critically at the concept of Overpopulation

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Explain and look critically at the concept of Optimum Population

Answer 5

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*

Question 6

Explain and look critically at the concept of underpopulation

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Explain Food Security

Answer 7

When people have enough nutritious and affordable food to eat

Question 8

What are some causes and consequences of food shortages?

Answer 8

Causes: Desertification, war, global warming
Consequences: Increase in mortality rate. Lower productivity.

Question 9

Quote: Malthusian Theory - Thomas Malthus -1798

Answer 9

“Population is determined by food availability”