Resource Reliance Flashcards
Why has the population grown rapidly since 1900?
Lower death rates due to vaccination programmes, better medical knowledge, better nutrition, better living conditions, etc.
However, birth rates remain high (i.e. above replacement) in many countries, particuarly LIDCs
Why has energy demand risen recently?
Because as LIDCs and EDCs develop, they need more energy for their industries and the way of life becomes more like that of AC countries (e.g. holidays, more meat consumption, cars, television) which requires more energy.
Why is the availability of fresh water reducing?
It is becoming more polluted and contaminated. There is an increased demand and it’s a finite resource.
Name 5 developed factors that may lead to the global food supply being unable to keep up with demand.
- Climate change - less food can grow due to unpredictability
- Soil erosion - fertile top soil washed away
- Crops being used as biofuels - rather than food
- Increased meat consumption - particularly in EDCs/LIDCs as they want more luxurious AC life
- Human population growth - food availability can’t match rise in population
Has ‘peak oil’ passed? Why?
Yes. The demand for oil is decreasing. It is becoming more scarce and expensive.
What is subsistence farming?
Farming only for what you need
What effect does mechanisation of farming have on these abiotic factors: soil, water and air?
Soil - more soil erosion and leaching occurs as land is more exposed to wind and rain, less nutrients in soil
Water - run-off from fields carry fertilisers and pesticides into water algal blooms reduce oxygen levels in water
Air - increased air pollution
What effect does mechanisation of farming have on these biotic factors: plants, insects, animals?
Plants - lack of biodiversity due to use of single mono-cultures
Insects - pesticides are used, killing insects
Animals - herbicides and pesticides may get into food chain or reduce availability of food
Name the 4 ways that commerical fishing can effect marine ecosystems.
By-catch - use of nets, sometimes wrong fish are caught
Overfishing - more fish are caught than can be replaced, can lead to extinction
Bottom tawling - weighted nets that trawl along seabed to catch fish, but damage it [seabed]
Poisons and explosives - This is indiscriminate and damaging to marine habitats. This is illegal.
Why are fish farms no the solution to obtaining greater numbers of larger fish?
You need to collect a much greater mass of smaller fish to feed the larger fish.
Name 3 ways animals are effected by deforestation.
- Removal of habitat
- Changes to migration corridors - restricts animals’ ability to hunt, gather food and mate
- Mercury poising - moves up food chain
Name 3 ways plants are effected by deforestation.
- Removal of vegetation - loss of biomass
- Contamination of soil - reduce biodiversity
- Soil erosion and fertility loss - reduce biodiversity and vegetation cover
What is vegetation cover?
The percentage of soil covered by green vegetation
How does mining affect water, soil and air? (2 for each)
- *Water:**
- waste material washed into river
- groundwater can become contaminated and affecy plant growth
- *Soil:**
- toxic chemicals from rocks contaminate soil and affect plant growth
- total removal of soil in mining, difficult to re-establish
- *Air:**
- dust from mining contain sulfur and arsenic, get into lungs
- acid rain forms from burning fossil fuels
In what 2 ways does acid rain affect the ecosystem?
- kills plants
- pollutes water
What are the three main uses of water?
Agriculture. Industry. Domestic (e.g. cooking, cleaning)
(in order from largest to smallest)
Name four effects to a river ecosystem of building dams
Floods - polluting the river and damaging the buildings and habitat
The dam releases oxygen-starved water killing fish
Water temperatures rise on surface, drop deep down, threatening species with extinction
The water traps sediment, the river has more energy, increasing erosion.
Why are EDCs investing in water transfer projects?
As the population of megacities continues to climb and industry grows in them, more water needs to be transferred there for personal use and to attract investment.
What is the definition for food security?
To have physical and economic access to food that meets dietary needs and food preferences
What are the 3 pillars of food security?
Food availability - is there enough food?
Food access - is food affordable?
Food utilisation - is food nutritious and healthy?
Name 4 physical factors that affect food security
Temperature, soil, water supplt, pests/diseases/parasites
Name 6 human factors that affect food supply
- Poverty
- Distribution and infastructure
- War and conflict - disrupts distribution
- Land ownership - land may be owned by TNCs, less land for local people to grow food
- Food being wasted
- Climate change - affects rainfall patterns
Describe the Malthus theory.
It is pessimistic about a potential food supply crisis
Populaton always rises at greater (geometric/exponential) rate than the food supply (arithmetic rate).
When the population is greater than the needed food supply, famine and starvation occur (positive checks), decreasing population, before it rises and the crisis point is reached again.
Preventative checks must be taken
Describe the Boserup theory
Optimistic about potential food crisis
When crisis point nears, new technology will be developed that averts the crisis.
