...Chapter 2: The Ecology of Population Growth Review Essay by Max Kosusnik Earth’s population has increased by the billions at rates deemed too quick for us to be capable of controlling. We, as a race, grew to our first billion in 1804. In 1927, only 123 years later, we had reached our second billion. To make matters more substantial, it only took 33 years until we had reached our third billion, in the year 1960. The rate would speed up so much that, on average, every 13 years our world’s population would reach another billion, getting us to 7 billion in 2011. This fast paced growth comes with many consequences. Human demands will and possibly already have overrun the amount of our natural support systems, and our food supplies, such as our fisheries, grasslands, forests, soils, and aquifers. If our demands increase over the sustainable output these resources provide for us, then it will result in overfishing, overgrazing, overcutting, overplowing, and overpumping. A recent demographic projection by the U.N. shows that the world’s population will grow to well over 9 billion by 2050. Although many believe this will materialize, it is unlikely due to the hardships we will face increasing the food supply, global warming, and water shortages. Although world population growth has slowed down from the peak of 2.1 percent in 1967 to 1.1 percent in 2011, it is still unclear whether the population growth has slowed due to the shift to smaller families or the opposite, that we...
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...Ecology and Population Growth The growth in human population has affected Earth’s air, forests, land, animal habitats, water, and climate. The change in climate has been caused by the amount of greenhouse gases from the increase in industry, and auto emissions, the amount of energy coming from the sun, and the properties of the Earth’s surface. These factors have a warming effect on the planet, called global warming which acts like a blanket trapping this solar energy, and gasses close to the Earth. This causes river and lake water levels to be lower in arid areas, and glaciers to melt causing floods. With the temperatures predicted to be up one hundred degrees Fahrenheit worldwide over the next one hundred years, threatening extinction for thousands of plant and animal species. Because of agriculture clearing, and aggressive logging over the past 30 years almost half of the world’s forests have disappeared. Land has been altered for forestry, farming, pastures, roads, industry, and houses. The amount of land altered for our use totals half of the world’s total land. Habitats are threatened by human growth, everywhere on Earth oceans are overfished causing extinction for some species already. Rising temperatures has caused Coral Bleaching, coral reefs are home to thousands of species, and protects the shorelines of some islands. Half of the world’s coral reefs and islands whose shorelines they protect will be gone, as will thousands of animal species. The Earth is covered by...
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...study of threespine sticklebacks, which relate to ecology evolution. The original findings of researchers differ from Robinson’s field study. Robinson’s hypothesis states the threespine sticklebacks diverse phenotypes are the creation of natural selection supporting the discrepancy in the population. The variables in the study are diet and environmental conditions. Ecologists use evidence and observation to quantify results by using information from other studies and experiments. Robinson’s field study relates to evolution and natural selection, and each play an important role in ecology. Robinson’s field study should alter variables of life span, growth rate, and body size to understand the evolution of the threespine stickleback species. Original Observations of Researchers The field study by Beren Robinson is a study to determine how the threespine stickleback species of fish have evolved. The threespine sticklebacks went through an increased era of time. Only two species of threespine sticklebacks inhabit in a lake. Original observations of researchers suggest that opposing selective pressures in open-water and shallow water are factors in the evolution of the threespine sticklebacks (Smith & Smith, 2009). Robinson’s study proves a different analysis and suggests natural selection is a key factor. The study by Beren Robinson and the department of Zoology at the University of Guelph starts with the sampling of a population of threespine sticklebacks. From the sampling Robinson...
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...------------------------------------------------- Ecology From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For other uses, see Ecology (disambiguation). Ecology | | | | Ecology addresses the full scale of life, from tiny bacteria to processes that span the entire planet. Ecologists study many diverse andcomplex relations among species, such aspredation and pollination. The diversity of life is organized into different habitats, from terrestrial(middle) to aquatic ecosystems. | Ecology (from Greek: οἶκος, "house"; -λογία, "study of"[A]) is the scientificstudy of interactions among organisms and their environment, such as the interactions organisms have with each other and with their abiotic environment. Topics of interest to ecologists include the diversity, distribution, amount (biomass), number (population) of organisms, as well as competition between them within and among ecosystems. Ecosystems are composed of dynamically interacting parts including organisms, the communities they make up, and the non-living components of their environment. Ecosystem processes, such asprimary production, pedogenesis, nutrient cycling, and various niche construction activities, regulate the flux of energy and matter through an environment. These processes are sustained by organisms with specific life history traits, and the variety of organisms is called biodiversity. Biodiversity, which refers to the varieties of species, genes, and ecosystems, enhances certain ecosystem services. Ecology is an interdisciplinary field...
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...mode, a change in lambda (λ) will change the growth rate of the species. If λ increases, so does the growth rate and if λ decreases, as will the growth rate. However, the growth rate only increases if the number is above 1. 1 itself indicates no growth and below one is negative growth. The same principle applies to r. However, as apposed to 1, 0 is no growth while below 0 and above 0 is negative and positive growth, respectfully. Figure 1 and 2 show a stable, increasing and decreasing population for both continuous and discrete growth. Question 2. What are the differences between the discrete and continuous models of population growth? (2 marks) Discrete growth shows a type of growth in populations that have seasonal breeding seasons (Alstad, 2001). This means the percentage increase can be added after the season to the group. Continuous growth means that the growth of the population is continuously growing without seasons and has overlapping generations. An example of discrete growth is figure 1 and continuous growth in figure 2. Figure 1 Note that the dots are the changes in population after the previous, this graph could also show horizontal lines from one dot to the point in t matches with the above dot. The vertical line from the horizontal dot and dot further along t show the change in population (Otherwise known as a step graph). This graph shows smoothed lines. Figure 2 Showing a continuous change in population along the t axis. Question 3. For what kinds...
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...The Circle of Life - Business Vs Ecology By Wendy Pan Science Daily A lake teeming with fish, a forest abundant with trees and life, a world bent on thriving amidst another of industrial strength. This is an ongoing struggle, man vs. nature, business vs. ecology. People should become more aware of this. An issue whose impact is far greater than society may imagine. The Nature of Things It cannot be denied, the hazards that industrial development has bestowed upon the earth's ecosystems. The endangered species list has grown in vast proportions over the last thirty years and while there has been serious effort put forth to change this; the amount of change occurring does little to affect the amount of damage that is accruing. There is not enough space within these lines to do justice to what this planet is facing. However, two points stand out among the rest and can serve the purpose. 1. Contamination of the water and air is due in part to the run off, of chemical plants. 2. Over population around the world has led to an increased production of industrial parks, such as the ones who have been a factor in contamination. One contaminated water source can lead to devastating destruction within an ecosystem. Without a clean source of water the vegetation and foliage within an area suffers. In regards to this, you have a decreased amount of food, shelter, even oxygen. All of these factors play a vital part in the survival of the ecosystem's wild life. The contamination does...
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...onset of industrialization in which death rates began to fall due to greater food supplies, yet birth rates remain high causing a rapid population growth. In the third stage, a mature industrial society, the higher standard of living makes raising children expensive and without the need for cheap child labor children become a liability so birth rates drop along with the continued drop in death rates. The postindustrial society stage is where demographic transition completes, dual income families with few children become the norm and death rates remain steady causing a slow population growth or a decline. In this theory it is easy to see how a society’s population is linked to its technological development. 2. Explain what you think the urban ecology theories and the urban political economy theory teach us about cities. Urban ecology theory explains that the first cities emerged in fertile farmlands where the agrarian society’s lived, then as the societies became more concerned with defense they found natural landscapes to protect their cities such as mountains or rivers. Rivers and harbors later became even more important as a means of trade and source of power for the industrial revolution. Social area analysis added that people created neighborhoods with other people they share cultural customs or interests with. Also urban ecology explains how a layout of a city is created by concentric zones with business in the center and factories around them and...
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...The Colourful Corporation [pic] Research Study: Prosperity without Growth? Executive Summary The aim of this report is to identify and define the conditions that create a sustainable economy and report on the effects they might have on the future governance, vision and strategy of The Colourful Corporation. In doing so the report has analysed the most pressing issues that relate to the development and continuation of a sustainable economy. The research has been undertaken at the request of the CEO and uses academic literature as its backbone. Overall the report found that there are many factors that are consistent with a sustainable economy with the following being researched: science & technology; ecology & sustainability; population, demographics, society & culture as well as economy, geopolitics & security. The report concludes that the future of the global economy will be built on innovation, low-waste, long-term planning and will be developed in harmony with the natural environment, and that these factors should be used in the development of the company’s future vision and strategy. The report recommends that the company: • Invest in Research & Development (R&D) • Decrease the use of chemicals, pesticides etc. in production & process work • Further research the implications of population growth and cultural homogeneity and its effects on the company. • Take a cautious approach to large financial investments Table of Contents ...
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...Ecologism: Core themes | Ecology | * Ecology developed as a distinct branch of biology through a growing recognition that plants and animals are sustained by self-regulating natural systems (i.e. ecosystem) composed of both living and non-living elements. All ecosystems tend towards a state of harmony or equilibrium through a system of state regulation. Biologists refer to this as homeostasis: Process where food and other resources are recycled and the population size of animals; insects and plants naturally adjust to the available food supply.Eco systems interact with other ecosystems.E.g. A lake may constitute an ecosystem, but it also needs to be fed fresh water from tributaries and receive warmth and energy from the sun. In turn, lakes provide water and food for species living along its shores. The natural world is therefore made up of a complex web of ecosystems – the largest of which is the global ecosystem: the “ecosphere” or “biosphere”.Ecologists argue that humankind currently faces the prospect of environmental disaster because of material wealth.Material wealth and consumption upsets the ‘balance of nature’ and endangered the ecosystems that make human life possible. * This is all a result of the growth in human population * The depletion of finite and irreplaceable resources such as: Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas * The eradication of tropical rain forests * The pollution of rivers, lakes and forests and air itselfEcologism presents a radically different...
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...Executive Summary For the last five decades the pursuit of economic growth has been the single most important policy goal across the world. The global economy is almost five times the size it was half a century ago (Tim Jackson, Published by the Sustainable Development Commission © March 2009, P1). Economic growth is supposed to deliver prosperity. Better investment return could indicate excellent corporation development, and higher incomes should mean better choices, richer lives, and an improved quality of life for us all. However, the banking crisis of 2008 forced us to confront our inability to manage the financial sustainability of the global economy and the ecological sustainability as well. In addition, led the world to the brink of financial disaster and shook the dominant economic model based on economic growth to its foundations. The aim of this report is to define sustainable economy in terms of six themes: ecology and sustainability; population and demographics; science and technology; economy; geopolitics and security; society and culture. Also, analyze the effects of issues of sustainable economy on management’s governance of the Colourful Corporation. Based on these analyses, this report will provides recommendations about future vision and strategy top management could consider for a sustainable Colourful Corporation. Based on these analyses, the following recommended visions and strategis will be given for Management to keep the Colourful Corporation’s sustainability: ...
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...the topic i. Poverty in canada 1. Build environment and social ecology b. Define all terminologies: ii. Build environment: built environment refers to the human-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, ranging in scale from buildings and parks or green space to neighborhoods and cities that can often include their supporting infrastructure, such as water supply, or energy networks iii. Social ecology: social ecology describes the social and demographic make up of a society or neighborhood. c. Explain the Global and the local contexts d. Explain the spatial “Outcome” with examples iv. Ex1. a community in Markham (news article) v. Social ecology in this article is described through the changes that occur in this community, and the outcomes of poverty ( drugs, violence etc) <http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012/06/30/a_markham_street_reveals_much_about_gta_ethnic_enclaves.html> vi. Ex 2. Poverty in canada ‘s top cities “Visible minorities make up roughly the same proportion of the population in the Vancouver CMA as in the Toronto CMA. Yet, Vancouver is slightly less segmented than Toronto, by virtue of having a smaller proportion of its population living in both isolated and mixed/polarized tracts in 2001 (Table 8). The growth of visible minority populations has also translated into increasing minority concentration in Vancouver, except that the...
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...Published by the Ecological Society of America Issues in Ecology Number 4, Fall 1999 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes Issues in Ecology Number 4 Fall 1999 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes by Shahid Naeem, Chair, F.S. Chapin III, Robert Costanza, Paul R. Ehrlich, Frank B. Golley, David U. Hooper, J.H. Lawton, Robert V. ONeill, Harold A. Mooney, Osvaldo E. Sala, Amy J. Symstad, and David Tilman Critical processes at the ecosystem level influence plant productivity, soil fertility, water quality, atmospheric chemistry, and many other local and global environmental conditions that ultimately affect human welfare. These ecosystem processes are controlled by both the diversity and identity of the plant, animal, and microbial species living within a community. Human modifications to the living community in an ecosystem as well as to the collective biodiversity of the earth can therefore alter ecological functions and life support services that are vital to the well-being of human societies. Substantial changes have already occurred, especially local and global losses of biodiversity. The primary cause has been widespread human transformation of once highly diverse natural ecosystems into relatively species-poor managed ecosystems. Recent studies suggest that such reductions in biodiversity can alter both the magnitude and the stability of ecosystem processes...
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...Instructional Unit on Ecology Week 6 Zachary Spooner SEI 500 January 14, 2014 Michael Conway SIOP® LESSON PLAN Date: 12/5/12 | | Zachary SpoonerGrade/Class/Subject: Grade 8, Team A, Science | | Unit/Theme: Introduction to Basic Concepts of Ecology Standards: Region: USA- NAS- Science Education Standards National Academy of Science Type of Standard: Science Content Standards Grade Range: Grades 5-8 Content Standard: Life Science Area- POPULATIONS AND ECOSYSTEMS: A population consists of all individuals of a species that occur together at a given place and time. All populations living together and the physical factors with which they interact compose an ecosystem. Populations of organisms can be categorized by the function they serve in an ecosystem. Plants and some micro-organisms are producers--they make their own food. All animals, including humans, are consumers, which obtain food by eating other organisms. Decomposers, primarily bacteria and fungi, are consumers that use waste materials and dead organisms for food. Food webs identify the relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem. For ecosystems, the major source of energy is sunlight. Energy entering ecosystems as sunlight is transferred by producers into chemical energy through photosynthesis. That energy then passes from organism to organism in food webs. The number of organisms an ecosystem can support depends...
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...Population refers to all living organisms that belong to the same species and live in the same geographic area. This area is used to define the population is that inter breeding is possible between the existing pairs and crossbreeding with individuals from other areas. Sociologists use population to refer to a number of human beings. Demography refers to the study of human population. The world’s population is estimated by the United States Census Bureau to be around 6.9 billion as of June 11, 2011.The world population hit the 6.5 million mark on 24 February 2006. Population growth significantly grew after the Industrial Revolution. Medical advances and increased agricultural productivity in the last 50 years or so has led to a rapid increase in the rate at which the world population is growing. In future, world population is expected to reach a growth peak and there will be a drop due to different factors such as environmental hazards, economic reasons, land exhaustion and health concerns (Neal, 2004). The number of births and deaths usually determines population change. If the number of births exceeds the number of deaths then population growth is said to have occurred. The factors that are known to affect population growth include fertility rates, family size (small families are more common in developed countries, larger in developing countries), and mortality rates determined by access to medical facilities, accidents, natural disasters. The world population...
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...Biotic Pertaining to living organisms. Carrying capacity A maximum number of individuals or maximum population density that a habitat can support. Community All the organisms that live within a given area. Consumer An organism that obtains food from other living organisms. Ecological succession Changes in the species composition of an ecosystem following a disturbance. Ecology The study of how organisms interact with their environments. Ecosystem All the organisms that live within a given area and all the abiotic features of their environment. Exponential growth A model of population growth in which a population grows at a rate proportional to its size. Life history strategy The position a population of organisms occupies on the continuum between producing a large number of “inexpensive” offspring and a small number of “expensive” offspring. Logistic growth A model of population growth in which growth slows as the population approaches the carrying capacity of its habitat. Niche The total set of biotic and abiotic resources a species uses within a community. Population A group of individuals of a single species that occupies a given area. Producer An organism that makes organic molecules from inorganic materials and energy. Symbiosis A situation in which individuals of two species live in close association with one another. Trophic level One of the feeding levels in a food chain, including producers, primary consumers, secondary...
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