• Unit 8-Population Dynamics

    Key points:

    • A given area can only support a certain size of population.
    • Population numbers may either crash or reach an equilibrium around the carrying capacity.  The human population is growing at an exponential rate overall.
    • The population of LEDCs is 80% of world population and this is growing faster than MEDCs.
    • Crude birth rate, death rate, fertility, doubling time and natural increase rate are all indicators of population change.
    • Population pyramids and the demographic transition model show how populations change over time.
    • These models help in predicting population changes.
    Key words:

     exponential growth
    		  geometric growth
    		  logistic growth
     limiting factor
    		  density-dependent factor
    		  internal factor
     external factor
    		  density-independent factor
    		  S-curve
     carrying capacity
    		  environmental resistance
    		  J-curve
     dieback  overshoot  K-strategist
     K-selected  r-strategist  r-selected
     survivorship curves
    		  human carrying capacity
    		  technological development
     import  CBR  CDR
     NIR  doubling time
    		  total fertility
     fertility rate
    		  age-sex pyramids
    		  demographic transition model
Last Modified on February 23, 2015