Populations and the Use of Natural Resources

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on populations and the use of natural resources, including factors affecting human population growth, environmental interactions, and definitions related to population dynamics.

What factors limit human population?

Factors such as the availability of food, water, shelter, and environmental limits.

What are the basic needs of organisms?

Air, food, water, and shelter.

How do most organisms interact with their environments?

Most organisms live in balance with the natural resources provided in their environment.

What is the unique capacity of humans compared to other organisms?

Humans have an unequaled capacity to modify their environments.

What is a population?

All of the individuals living within a specific area.

What happens to population size over time?

It can change due to births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.

What does exponential growth resemble?

A J-shaped curve.

What is carrying capacity?

The number of organisms that an environment can support.

What are density-independent factors?

Environmental factors that do not depend on population size, such as storms and floods.

What are density-dependent factors?

Environmental factors that affect a population more as the population increases, such as disease and competition for food.

What is the expected human population by 2050?

About 9.6 billion.

What is a problem associated with the expansion of highly populated areas?

The demand for natural resources.