Human Population Growth

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to human population growth and regulation, density factors, species classifications, and historical policies.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum number of individuals an environment can support sustainably.

Density-Independent Factors

Environmental factors that affect population size regardless of density, such as weather and natural disasters.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that influence population size based on the density of the population, including competition and predation.

K-Selected Species

Species that thrive in stable environments, exhibit long lifespans, late maturation, and provide extensive parental care.

r-Selected Species

Species that produce many offspring quickly, mature early, and thrive in unstable environments.

Exponential Growth

A population growth pattern where numbers increase rapidly over time when resources are abundant.

Logistic Growth

A growth pattern where population expansion slows as it approaches the carrying capacity of the environment.

Population Regulation

The mechanisms that control population size through density-independent and density-dependent factors.

Age Structure

The distribution of individuals of different ages within a population, reflecting growth trends.

China's One Child Policy

A population control policy implemented from 1979 to 2015, aimed at limiting family size to support economic growth.