WEEK 3 Notes - Population, Growth, and Environment (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key population concepts, growth models, distribution patterns, and links between population, economy, and environment.

Population

A group of individuals or a single species living in an area that have the potential to breed; size and composition can change due to environment, disasters, and competition.

Geographic distribution

The natural arrangement and apportionment of organisms across regions; describes where species are found.

Population density

The number of individuals per unit area.

Random distribution

A pattern where the position of one individual does not influence others; occurs when resources are uniformly available and interactions are weak.

Uniform distribution

A pattern where individuals maintain personal space due to competition for limited resources.

Clumped distribution

A pattern where individuals occur in groups because resources are unevenly distributed.

Birth rate

The number of births in a population over a specific period, influencing growth.

Death rate

The number of deaths in a population over a specific period, influencing growth.

Immigration

Individuals entering a population from elsewhere.

Emigration

Individuals leaving a population to go to another area.

Exponential growth

Rapid population growth when resources are abundant and limiting factors are minimal.

Logistic growth

Growth that slows and stops as resources become limited, approaching carrying capacity.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Phase 1: Exponential Growth

Initial stage where population grows rapidly under favorable conditions.

Phase 2: Growth slows

Phase where growth rate decreases as resources become limited.

Phase 3: Growth stops

Phase where population stabilizes at carrying capacity.

Demographic dividend

A period when a large share of the population is of working age, potentially boosting economic growth.

Fertility rate

The average number of births in a population; tends to decline as economic development increases.

Life expectancy

The average number of years a person can expect to live, improved by income and healthcare.

Urbanization

Movement of people from rural to urban areas, changing population distribution and structure.

Labor supply

The availability of workers for production; larger populations can increase labor supply.

Market size

The total potential customers in an economy; more people expand the market.

Industrialization

Transition to large-scale manufacturing; often increases pollution, deforestation, and energy demand.

Energy use

The amount of energy consumed by an economy; growth typically raises energy demand, often fossil-fuel-based.

Infrastructure development

Building facilities like roads and utilities; can impact ecosystems if not planned sustainably.

Resource scarcity

Limited availability of essential resources leading to competition and potential impacts on populations.

Pollution

Contamination of air, water, or soil resulting from human activity, often rising with larger populations.