1. Chapter 15: Human Populations
Population Dynamics
Chapter 15: Human Populations

2. 1. ) Write a short description of this graph
1.) Write a short description of this graph. Predict why it looks like this. 2.) sketch the graph and predict what will happen next 3.) Discuss with the people around your prediction.

3. Factors that led to human growth?
Limiting factors that will result in Earth’s carrying capacity?

8. As the human population increases …… Overexploitation of resources
Environmental degradation
Pollution
Climate change
Soil fertility

9. Human Demographics-cont’d
Thomas Malthus predicted that exponential population growth would surpass arithmetic food production growth

10. Food production already estimated to be at a maximum.
Land loss, livestock degradation, fertility decline, climate change, overexploitation of wild resources
Solutions?
Brain storm with the people around you of some possible solutions and then share with the class.

11. Food and Soil Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Pros Cons
Crops can be engineered to resist pests, to resist extreme temperatures, to have improved nutritional content , to have improved flavour, to produce bigger yields
Cons
Potential loss of genetic diversity
Farmers need to purchase seeds regularly which will be difficult for poor farmers
May end up in products unintentionally
May not be indicated on food labels

12. Water & Air Fresh water being consumed Water being polluted Acid rain
Air pollution
Greenhouse effect
Solutions? Again brainstorm with the people around you and share your ideas with the class.

13. Ecological Footprint:
Estimate of the amount of land and water needed to supply resources and deal with wastes produced by a human population
In a group of 2 or 3 complete
Activity

15. Restoration Ecology and Waste Management
Five Rs of waste reduction:
Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
Refuse
Recover
Biologists continuously monitor components of carrying capacity (ex. soil, water, air) to assess changes in ecosystems. To do this, they:
Establish baseline data
Measure and observe indicators (ex. water turbidity)
Examine indicator species (ex. frogs)

16. Bioremediation:
Organisms (ex. bacteria) are used to detoxify polluted environments (ex. oil spills)
They use enzymes to break down toxic chemicals to less toxic/nontoxic chemicals they can digest
Eventually the organisms die from starvation

17. Restoration Ecology and Waste Management-cont’d
Two ways of dealing with global pollution:
Prevent, reduce, eliminate pollutant production (ex. wind and solar power)
Continue cleaning up pollutants after they have been produced
Eco-cities:
Cities designed to minimize their impact on the environment and to establish sustainable lifestyles

18. Restoration Ecology and Waste Management-cont’d
High-Throughput Economy:
Sustains economic growth by increasing resource movement
These resources are eventually output as wastes and pollution
Low-Throughput Economy:
Efficient use of energy resources
Reuse and recycle most non-renewable resources
Allow renewable resources time to regenerate
Decrease unnecessary consumption
Pollution prevention focus (ex. reduce wastes)

19. Activity