BIOL Lecture 7, Human Populations----UNIT 2

Pre-Agricultural Period

Occurred until about 10,000 BC, population grew slowly as humans expanded into new territories and developed new tools; at the end of this period, the population was estimated to be 5-10 million individuals.

Agricultural Revolution

Began with the domestication of plants and animals (early farming), enabled humans to produce more food and feed more people, created a greater need for human labor-->incentivizing people to have more children, people lived longer

Industrial Revolution

Decreased death rates significantly (medical advances, sanitation, nutrition), almost doubled the average life expectancy, population growth surged over next three centuries and continues today.

What did Thomas Malthus say about an ever-growing human population?

too many mouths to feed but not enough food would result in disease, famine, and war

Populous nations

Nations that contain the greatest population

What are the five most populous nations in order from greatest to least?

India, China, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan

What are the four most DENSELY-populated countries in the world from most to least dense?

Singapore, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Taiwan

The most densely populated areas in the world tend to be ——- areas or close to ———.

coastal; waterways

About % of the population lives on about % of the earth's surface, and most are _____ of the equator.

90; 10; North

Demography

The scientific study of human population changes over time.

Young Population pyramid

Will look like a normal pyramid, with a significant taper at the top (oldest population), with most of the population lying at the base of the pyramid (younger generations).

Transitional Population pyramid

Most of the pyramid looks like a rounded pyramid-shape, but tapers slightly inward at the youngest age groups. The population is losing momentum, transitioning into a mature population.

Mature/Stable Population Pyramid

Much of the population is concentrated in the middle-age and elder age groups, with noticeably small percentages of the population being in the younger groups.

Population momentum

Populations that are bound to increase for another generation

Transitional population

pre-reproductive and reproductive cohorts are not as dramatic. Population rise bound to slow. There are noticeably more males than females.

Demographic Transition Model

Theoretical model describing expected drop in population growth as economic conditions improve

Stage 1

Pre-industrial stage; populations are low; birth and death rates are relatively equal and HIGH; growth is very slow if at all;

Stage 2

Industrializing stage; population growth is rapid; birth rates remain high, while death rates fall as daily life improves;

Stage 3

Mature industrial stage; most growth occurs in this stage, as birth rates and death rates have the largest gap; population growth is slowing, but continuous;

Stage 4

Post industrial stage; population stops growing and may even shrink; birth rates and death rates are equal and LOW;

Demographic factors

Health, education, economic conditions, and cultural influences are very different from those in other developed and developing countries

Most of the world's _______ occurs in developing nations, while most of the _______ is in developed nations.

population growth; wealth

The fastest growing populations in the world are those with a _____ or ______ population.

very young; youthful

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Average number of children a woman has over the course of her lifetime

Explain China's response to population growth:

In 1979, the Chinese government instituted the controversial one-child policy, which stated that Chinese families can only have one child without risking the loss of essential benefits and the levying of a hefty fine. The incredibly inhumane policy resulted in involuntary sterilization and IUDs, as well as many late-term abortions. Other effects included: Chinese labor force was reduced by almost half; as the population aged, there were less young people to take care of the elderly; skewed sex ratio/there are now noticeably more men than women because girls were often aborted.

Explain why the one-child policy might not have been necessary:

Most significant fertility declines tend to coincide with major economic gains. There were several other countries during the past 25 years that had significant declines in TFR without the use of inhumane one-child policies.

Explain what happened in Kerala, India.

Amartya Sen worked with the Indian government in an attempt to improve the economy of Kerala (a largely poor and crowded area). In 1988, many volunteers came to Kerala to boost literacy rates and provide free/inexpensive healthcare clinics. The area had three main advantages in spreading education and healthcare: the state was matrilineal, no real divide between urban and rural areas, infrastructure of education was already present.

What were some unintended consequences of Kerala?

While the goal of increasing literacy and healthcare was to provide economic growth to the region, it wasn't successful in that regard. However, the TFR dropped significantly and became the lowest in India. The population of Kerala also stopped growing.

What are common reasons why birth rates would be high?

No/few contraceptives, pronatalist pressure, low opportunity

What are some humane steps that can be taken to help lower birth rates?

Increase education, make moves towards economic stability, and provide wider access to healthcare

Why is it important to be aware of our steadily growing population?

We are increasing both in numbers and in resource use. At our current rate of consumption, human population has possibly already surpassed Earth's long-term carrying capacity.