Studied by 30 people
What is population distribution?
The pattern of where people live.
What is population density?
The number of people living in an area, usually given as people per km2.
What are population numbers?
The amount of people in a defined area.
What is population change?
Increases and decreases in population over a period of time.
What physical factors affect populations?
Climate, soil, and resource distributions.
How does climate affect populations?
Can affect agricultural productivity and disease spread for example, which affect population numbers.
How do soils affect populations?
Water content, Nutritional content, and overall quality of soil affects agricultural productivity- important in providing food to support populations.
How do resource distributions affect populations?
Are needed for a population to grow and be supported. A clean water supply is needed for hygiene, sanitation, agriculture, and drinking. Before there were means.
How did the Neolithic Revolution affect population changes?
Around 12,000 years ago, agriculture was developed. Lifestyles changed from hunting and gathering food to farming in permanent settlements, leading to population increase.
How did the Industrial Revolution affect population changes?
A rapid rise in machinery use in developed countries coincided with doubling of Britain’s population. Death rates fell due to increased food production, and more money meant better diets- population more concentrated as people moved to cities to work.
How did the Industrial Revolution concentrate populations?
Farming became less labour intensive, so people moved for cities for work in factories.
What is the current world population?
8.1 billion.
What is the expected world population in 2050?
9.6 billion.
How did developed populations grow in the 19th century?
Populations in North America and Western Europe grew rapidly due to improvements in medicine and food production that increased life expectancy and reduced infant mortality rates.
How did developing countries growing in the 19th century?
They remained stable as infant and maternal mortality rates were high and famine was common.
Why do East Asia and North America produce large amounts of cereals?
They have climates that are good for farming and lots of investment.
Why may areas produce small amounts of food?
Lack of resources and funding, land is unsuitable for farming, poor quality or little soil.
Why do more developed countries consume more food?
They can afford to import a large variety of foods, have a culture of consumerism, high disposable incomes so can afford more food.
How much meat per person was consumed in certain countries between 2013-2015?
65.7kg in developed countries, 26.6kg in developing countries.
What is food security?
When food is available, affordable, accessible and nutritious.
What countries produce the most meat, fish and milk?
China and India.
What is agricultural productivity?
A measurement of the amount of food produced in an area.
What is TFP?
Total Factor Productivity- a ratio of agricultural inputs to agricultural outputs.
How can crop TFP be improved?
Using technologies such as drip irrigation, more efficient cultivating/harvesting practices, disease/drought resistant crops.
How to can stock TFP be improved?
Selective breeding, animal disease and care management, adoption of high quality feeds.
Why do different types of farming take place in different areas of the world?
Wealth, resources available, climatic resources, soil conditions.
What are the optimum conditions for growing rice?
High rainfall and temperature (16-27 degrees). Alluvial and clay soils ideal as they are impermeable.
Where are polar regions found?
66 degrees n/s of equator, 10 degree isotherm.
What is climate like in polar regions?
Temperatures are typically below freezing, precipitation usually below 100mm per year.
How many people live in polar environments?
4 million live in the Arctic, nobody permanently lives in Antarctica.
How does the polar climate affect agricultural productivity?
Is low due to the poor soil and the harsh climate, especially in arable crops. Food mainly comes from meat and fish rather than crops. Usually subsistence- intention of feeding the population rather than selling yields.
How is climate change affecting agriculture in polar regions?
Global warming is causing permafrost to decrease and temperatures to rise, meaning arable land in polar/subpolar climates is increasing.
How do polar conditions affect infrastructure?
It is difficult to build buildings due to seasonal thawing of permafrost. Populations have adapted by building on stilts or large layers of gravel.
How do polar conditions affect human activities?
Daily life is affected by low temperatures- clothing must be suitable, occupations are limited and often seasonal e.g. tourism, fishing, coal mining.
What is the climate like in monsoon regions?
Very warm, humid climate, temperatures are consistently above 18 degrees, has dry seasons and wet seasons.
What is a monsoon?
A change in wind direction that brings a wet, rainy season.
How many people live in monsoon areas and why?
More than 60% of the world’s population, mainly due to urbanisation.
How do monsoon climates affect agriculture?
Is based around monsoon climate, as wet seasons can waterlog soils that are perfect for growing semiaquatic rice.
Why is there overpopulation in some monsoon areas?
Many people choose to move to these areas because of the opportunities in farming and better food security. Urbanisation has contributed to overpopulation in urban areas, causing poor quality of life.
How do floods caused by the monsoon directly affect the population?
The 2014 monsoon caused nearly 300 people to die in Pakistan and India, mainly due to flooding causing landslides.
Why must people adapt to the monsoon climate?
Risk of abnormality in the seasons. Prolonged dry seasons and shorter wet seasons can be detrimental to crops- can suffer droughts and floods, affecting farmers livelihoods and crop prices.
Why are monsoons important in said regions?
Economy gains due to good crop growth. Weak monsoon rains result in crop failure- results in rising prices etc.
How are India trying to combat weak monsoon rains?
Increasing irrigation, however is still in less than half of total land under cultivation.
What human issues do people in polar regions face?
Low population density, lack of permanent settlements, immigration causes increased pressure, all arable farming is artificial.
What are the benefits of climate smart agriculture (CSA)?
Reduces GHG emissions, adapt and build resilience of agriculture to food security, increased agricultural productivity.
How will climate change affect food yields?
Predicted that a 1 degree temperature rise will reduce rice yields in Asia by 20%.
How is climate change having disastrous affects on agriculture in Afrcia?
Temperatures are rising and rainfall is becoming scarce and unpredictable. 7 of the last 10 years have suffered droughts, as 70% of Africa’s agriculture is rainfed.
How could climate change affect the distribution of farming?
Crops that prefer warmer conditions may be farmed further north, and crops that prefer colder conditions could produce lower yields.
What is soil erosion?
The degradation of the layer of topsoil due to wind or water. Can remove nutrients and decrease the soils ability to hold water.
How does clearing vegetation make land more vulnerable to soil erosion?
Rain falls directly onto soil instead of being intercepted by plants, and roots binding soil are removed. Ground is exposed to harsh winds.
How does topography make land more vulnerable to soil erosion?
Soil is more likely to be washed down on a steep slope.
How does climate make land more vulnerable to soil erosion?
High rainfall increases water erosion. Low rainfall and high temperatures mean soil is dry, so is more vulnerable to wind erosion.
How does land use make land more vulnerable to soil erosion?
Ploughing loosens soil and exposes it to wind and rain, making it more vulnerable to erosion.
How much have soils degraded globally?
33%
How can crop rotation reduce the risk of soil erosion?
Farmers can plant cover crops to help maintain soil until a main crop is sown again.
How does terracing prevent soil erosion?
Steps are cut into a steep hillside to slow down the movement of water down the slope.
How does the planting of hedges or trees prevent soil erosion?
Act as a windbreak when planted around the edge of fields, creating barriers against wind erosion.
What are the causes of waterlogging soil?
Soils with few airspaces fill up with water quickly, precipitation is higher than evapotranspiration, soil can hinder drainage, so soil above is waterlogged.
What problems for agriculture does waterlogging create?
Roots being surrounded by water limits growth and can cause rotting, soil temperature is decreased reducing growth, crops can be out competed by weeds.
How is soil waterlogging managed?
Avoid over watering crops, drain soils using pipes or ditches, change composition of soils e.g. adding sand to clay soil.
What are the causes of soil salinisation?
High temperatures cause evaporation of water, leaving salts behind; Low rainfall, so salts don’t leach away; Applying too much of certain fertilisers.
What problems does soil salinisation create for agriculture?
Can be toxic to plants and reduce crop yield, can stop plants absorbing the water they need, osmosis may occur into soil so plants are dehydrated.
How can soil salinisation be managed?
Avoid waterlogging, only use as much water as needed, add appropriate amount and type of fertiliser.
What are the causes of structural deterioration of soil?
Use of heavy machinery or cattle grazing can compact soil, removal of vegetation as roots retain structure, salinisation can cause clay to clump together.
What problems does structural deterioration create for agriculture?
Compaction can make it hard for roots to develop, land is hard to plough, loss of pore spaces means less water can infiltrate and be taken up.
How can structural deterioration be managed?
Move livestock regularly, maintain vegetation cover, avoid salinisation.
How are soils characterised?
Their ability to support rooted plants and their horizons, that are defined by transfers of material/energy.
What are zonal soils?
A major soil group covering a wide geographic or zone- they are in a state of dynamic equilibrium with the climate, vegetation and organic matter.
What are the essential functions of soils?
Cycling nutrients, regulating water, sustaining plant and animal life, filtering pollutants and physical stability.
What is Chernozem soil?
A deep, black soil that is rich in organic material.
Where is Chernozem soil found?
Cover 230 million hectares worldwide, above 30 degrees north, mainly in North America, Eurasia, and Russia.
What are the characteristics of Chernozem soil?
Rich in organic matter- humus, so is rich in nutrients and has high water retention. Naturally fertile from high phosphorous and nitrogen content.
How does the high water retention of chernozem soils make them useful for agriculture?
Makes them favourable for arable crops as they are not likely to flood/become waterlogged in heavy rainfall- high yields can be sustained even in times of extreme weather.
How does the clay like structure of chernozem soils make them useful for agriculture?
Makes soil good for ploughing, as it will not be as vulnerable to erosion, which reduces the losses associated with agricultural work.
How does the high nutrient content of chernozem soils make them useful for agriculture?
Crops can be grown throughout the year as there are enough nutrients for the soil to sustain yearly growth. Usually used for multiple harvests, which brings consistent revenue for farmers.
What crops are mainly grown in chernozem soils?
Maize, wheat and barely.
Where are the red/yellow latsols found?
Around the equator, in the tropics. Cover 8% of ice-free land. Concentrated in South America and Central Africa.
What are the characteristics of the red/yellow latsols?
Topsoil has some nutrients due to repaid decay, however the remainder is infertile as most nutrients are stored in vegetation. High rainfall can cause nutrients to be leached, making them less fertile.
How are the red/yellow latsols used?
Shifting cultivation- indigenous people burn small areas of land to make them fertile and use them for farming. They are then left to recover fully and new plots are burned.
How has the use of the latsols changed over time?
Commercial farming practices have extended to tropical regions, grazing is common. Soils aren’t left to recover, leading to permanent soil degredation.
What is food security?
Where food is available, accessible, affordable and nutritious.
What is the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP)?
A multilateral mechanism to assist in the implementation of pledges made by the G20 in September 2009.
What is the objective of GAFSP?
To improve incomes, and food and nutrition security in low income countries by boosting agricultural productivity.
Why is agricultural growth good?
It is two to four times more effective at reducing poverty than in any other sector.
What percentage of the poor live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods?
75%
What strategy is used in Rwanda to help agricultural activity?
Increasing food production.
How is food production being increased in Rwanda?
Topography that causes food insecurity is transformed into food producing land by hillside irrigation, land husbandry and water harvesting projects.
When were agricultural schemes introduced in Rwanda?
2009
What are the benefits of the Rwanda scheme?
Has supported over 10,000 people, 200-300% yield each season, training for farmers, supports education and health costs.
What are the problems with the Rwanda scheme?
Weather and climate still play a large role in yield, and only certain regions have support- creates inequalities across the country.
What strategy is used in Uganda to help agricultural activity?
Improving post-harvesting practices.
How are post-harvesting practices improved in Uganda?
Fruits and vegetables are processed to help improve shelf life, grains are stored properly, and new market linkages are created.
What are the successes of improving post-harvesting practices in Uganda?
Alternative uses help reduce food waste e.g. turning old fruit into juice, less spoilt food due to proper storage, crops can be kept until market prices are better.
How can increasing access of food increase food security?
Countries can import more food by having access to foreign markets. Trading blocs can be beneficial to a country that is struggling to provide enough food for its population.
How has the green revolution helped to increase food security?
Is thought to be responsible for increased calorie intake in low income countries. Has increased grain yields by 160%.
What are the issues with the green revolution?
Irrigation can lead to salinisation, farmers may be unable to pay loans on expensive equipment.
What are the problems with the Uganda scheme?
Only has a local impact, raised food prices can affect consumers, pest control required to help keep food in good condition.
What is morbidity?
Refers to ill health. It includes any diseased state, disability, or condition of poor health.
What is mortality?
Refers to deaths. It is the condition of being mortal, or susceptible to death.
What is prevalence rate?
The total number of cases of a disease in a population at a given time.
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