BLG 181 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Endocrine Disruptor, Primary Production, Marine Ecosystem
Document Summary
Limits to population growth earth"s carrying capacity of humans. Populations have the potential to grow exponentially, but they are limited by environmental resources. Logistic growth: s shaped curve that is characterized by 4 phases. Density-dependent factors: factors that change with population size: food supply, risk of disease, waste levels, food supply. If you have a certain amount of food, the higher the population, the less available of food. Density-independent factors: not influenced by population numbers: drought, temperature extremes, natural. Once beyond capacity you"re living with limited resources despite technology because we depend on natural resources. Some calculations show that humans have already exceeded earth"s carrying capacity. Is the proportion of individuals in different age groups: used to predict the future growth of populations. Look at distribution of age groups to plan cities: afghanistan, when they move into reproductive age, they need more resources, us slow growth. balanced.
