Chapter 4: Human Population Growth

The change in the number of humans over time, affected by factors like resources, disease and technology.

A period of slow population growth due to limited resources and high mortality rates.

A period of fast, accelerating population growth due to decreased death rates.

The change from hunting and gathering to farming, which increased food supply and led to higher population densities.

A time of technological advancement that increased living standards, improved healthcare, and reduced mortality leading to a large population increase.

The maximum number of individuals an environment can support sustainably.

A very rapid increase in human population, especially due to better medicine, sanitation, and agriculture. (around 1850 AD)

Significant advancements in agriculture that increased food production to support a growing population.

Population decline due to resource depletion, issues or disease.

Proportion of different age groups in a population.

Birth rates equal death rates; small proportion of young people.

High birth rates; large proportion of young people.

Birth rates below replacement; larger proportion of older people.

Average number of children born per woman.

Impact of healthcare on how long people live.

Effect of economic factors on population distribution.

Movement of people between places.

Cultural elements affecting populations, examples include child marriages and son preference.

Young girls forcibly married.

Preference for male children in some cultures.

Marriage of individuals before reaching adulthood.

Choosing to abort a pregnancy based on the fetus's sex.

Limited access to contraception and family planning.

Postponing marriage, often due to education or career.

Delay between changes in birth and death rates.

Graph showing exponential population growth.

Maximum reproduction capacity under ideal conditions.

Increase in the number of individuals in a population.

The proportion of males to females in a population.

Factors in the environment that limit population growth.

Factors that affect population growth based on how crowded a population is.

Factors that affect population growth regardless of how crowded a population is.

Number of births per 1,000 people within a specific time.

Number of individuals of a species per unit of area.

Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store carbon.

Trees provide habitats for many species.

Trees prevent soil from washing or blowing away.

Trees help maintain healthy water cycles.

The state of dynamic equilibrium in an ecological system.

How a population changes over time.

When resources aren't enough for everyone.

An interaction where one organism eats another.

Trees provide beauty and enhance landscapes, enriching our visual experience. They also hold cultural significance, serving as symbols for communities.

Green spaces and forests offer places for relaxation, exercise, and outdoor activities. They contribute to physical and mental well-being.

Trees attract visitors to natural areas, parks, and scenic landscapes, boosting tourism and generating income for local economies.

The bark of this tree is used in Caymanian folk medicine to treat various ailments, including fever, dysentery, and digestive issues.

Sage is a common herb in the Cayman Islands used for its medicinal benefits, such as treating sore throats, coughs, and respiratory infections.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant renowned for its wound-healing and skin care properties, traditionally used in the Cayman Islands for sunburn, burns, and skin irritations.

Various parts of the soursop tree, including leaves and fruit, are used in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.

Spanish Needle is a weed in the Cayman Islands used in traditional medicine for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, treating conditions like urinary tract infections and fevers.

Small-scale agriculture is crucial for food security, livelihoods, rural development, cultural heritage, and environmental sustainability in Africa.

Small-scale agriculture is the primary source of food for many in Africa, providing access to nutritious food and combatting malnutrition.

Small-scale agriculture provides income and employment for millions in Africa, particularly in rural areas, helping to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods.

Small-scale agriculture fosters rural development by creating jobs, stimulating trade, and generating income for rural households. It is a key driver of economic growth.

Small-scale agriculture in Africa is deeply rooted in cultural traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and local farming practices.

Large-scale agriculture, especially for soybeans, palm oil, and cattle ranching, is a major driver of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, leading to habitat loss and biodiversity decline.

The variety of different ecosystems or habitats found in a region.

The destruction or fragmentation of natural habitats due to human activities like deforestation or urbanization.

Changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns that disrupt ecosystems and threaten biodiversity.

Harvesting natural resources faster than they can replenish, like overfishing or poaching.

The harmful effects of chemicals, waste, and toxins on ecosystems, harming wildlife and human health.

Non-native species that outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems.

The ability of an ecosystem to withstand disturbances and recover from stress.

The benefits humans receive from natural ecosystems, like clean water, food, and climate regulation.

A human-centered view that prioritizes human interests above those of other organisms.

Ecotourism aimed at seeing manta rays in their natural habitat. This brings in money for conservation and education.

A viewpoint that recognizes the inherent value of all living organisms and ecosystems.

A perspective that considers the well-being of whole ecosystems and the interconnectedness of all living things.

A group of people in India who strongly believe in protecting trees and nature. Amarita Devi and her daughters hugged trees to stop them from being cut down.

An Indian community known for their strong commitment to environmental conservation, particularly protecting trees and animals.

Someone who strongly believes in protecting trees and the environment, often associated with activism and conservation.

A movement in India where people, mostly women, hugged trees to stop them from being cut down by loggers.

The variety of different species living in a particular place.

Variety of genes within a species. Makes populations stronger and more adaptable.

Things that harm the variety of life on Earth, like habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

Protecting biodiversity is crucial for a healthy planet, providing us with resources, medicines, and ecosystem services.

A famous early environmentalist who advocated for protecting forests and natural landscapes.

An important leader who also advocated for protecting forests and nature.

Protected areas of land preserved for their natural beauty, wildlife, and ecological importance.

The movement focused on protecting the environment, including fighting deforestation and climate change.

Clearing land by burning vegetation for agriculture leads to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, and ecosystem fragmentation.

Burning vegetation initially makes soil fertile, but repeated use without vegetation cover causes erosion, nutrient loss, and infertility.

Burning forests releases large amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and local air pollution.

Deforestation and soil degradation from slash and burn farming can lead to the loss of crucial services like water regulation, carbon storage, and biodiversity.

Deforestation for palm oil plantations destroys habitats for endangered species like orangutans, tigers, and elephants, leading to biodiversity decline.

Converting forests and peatlands to palm oil plantations releases large amounts of CO2, contributing to climate change.

Palm oil plantations discharge agrochemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides into water bodies, contaminating rivers and affecting aquatic life.

Expansion of large-scale agriculture for crops like palm oil, soybeans, and rubber leads to deforestation and loss of biodiversity in Asia.

Traditional slash-and-burn farming practices, while once sustainable, are now causing deforestation due to increased population and changing land use.

Roads built for development often open up remote forests, leading to increased logging, mining, and agricultural expansion, contributing to deforestation.

Hydropower dams and reservoirs flood large forested areas, leading to habitat loss and ecosystem fragmentation.

Rapid urbanization and population growth increase demands for land and infrastructure, leading to forest clearing for urban development.

Industrial activities, like manufacturing, mining, and construction, require large amounts of land, leading to the conversion of forests into industrial zones.

Rapid urbanization and population growth on Grand Cayman drive demand for housing and infrastructure, leading to deforestation and habitat fragmentation for development.

Tourism development, including resorts, hotels, and cruise terminals, contributes to deforestation and habitat loss in the Cayman Islands.

A traditional agricultural method where vegetation is cleared by cutting and burning to make room for crops. This method can be sustainable at small scales but can lead to deforestation and soil degradation if done extensively.

Periods in Earth's history where a large portion of species go extinct in a short time. These events significantly impact biodiversity and reshape ecosystems.

Mature forests with old, large trees, diverse plants and animals, and complex ecological systems. They are valuable habitats, carbon stores, and providers of essential ecosystem services.

An environmental activist known for her 2-year tree-sit protest to save an old-growth redwood tree named 'Luna' in California.

Species at risk of extinction due to factors like habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change.

Species that reveal the health of an ecosystem. Their presence, absence, or abundance tells us about the environment's condition.

Charismatic species chosen to represent broader conservation efforts and raise public awareness about environmental issues.

Species whose protection benefits the entire ecosystem and indirectly protects other species within the same habitat.

Locally initiated and community-led efforts to protect and conserve natural resources, habitats, and biodiversity.

The process of building hotels, marinas, and other tourist facilities along coastlines, often resulting in the destruction of natural habitats.

The removal of mangrove forests, which are vital for coastal protection and biodiversity, to make way for development.

The decline of natural habitats due to human activities, such as pollution, deforestation, or invasive species.

The sustainable use and management of natural resources to meet human needs while preserving biodiversity for future generations.

The protection of natural environments for their own value, with minimal human interference.

Prioritizing economic growth and human well-being, often at the expense of conservation.

Designated areas where marine life is protected through regulations and management practices.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dominica that exemplifies preservation efforts in the Caribbean.

Examples of development-oriented approaches in the Caribbean, often leading to habitat destruction and pollution.

A documentary exposing the threat of mass extinction of species due to human activities.

Conservationists investigating and exposing illegal wildlife trafficking networks.

Educating the public about endangered species and the importance of conservation.

Using drones, satellites, and bioacoustic devices to monitor endangered species and habitats.

A species found only in a specific geographic region or habitat, not anywhere else in the world.

A forestry practice where specific trees are chosen to be removed, leaving others intact, aiming for sustainability.

A forestry practice where all trees in a designated area are removed, leaving no canopy cover.

A form of tourism promoting responsible travel to natural areas with a focus on conservation, education, and community involvement.

The study of spatial patterns and processes across different scales, focusing on interactions between organisms, habitats, and landscapes.

A farming method where multiple crops are grown together in the same area.

A farming method where only one type of crop is grown over a large area.

The use of machines and technology to perform tasks in agriculture, improving efficiency and productivity.

The artificial application of water to land for crop cultivation.

Chemicals used to control pests and enhance crop yields, but also posing environmental concerns.

Farming practices that aim to produce food while protecting the environment and ensuring long-term sustainability.

A sustainable agricultural approach that integrates ecological principles and practices to promote biodiversity, soil health, and ecological balance.

A sustainable agriculture system that avoids synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms.

A farming practice that minimizes soil disturbance, reducing erosion and improving soil health.

Chemicals needed in large amounts by plants and animals for growth and development. Examples include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Chemicals needed in small amounts by plants and animals for various functions. Examples include calcium, iron, and copper.

Essential for photosynthesis, enzyme activity, and the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll.

Essential for the synthesis of proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids which are vital for growth and repair.

Vital for energy transfer, storage, and cellular processes like cell division and root growth.

Essential for bone and teeth formation, energy metabolism, and cell signaling.

Involved in osmoregulation (water balance), enzyme activation, and the regulation of stomatal opening and closing.

Essential for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction.

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

To introduce specific traits like pest resistance, enhanced nutrition, or increased yield.

Using a bacterium called Agrobacterium to transfer desired genes into plant cells.

Firing tiny gold or tungsten particles coated with DNA into plant cells.

To protect crops, livestock, and stored food products from pests like insects, weeds, and fungi.

Can harm beneficial insects, contaminate water, and lead to resistance in pests.

The application of chemicals to control pests that damage crops, reduce yields, and threaten food security. This also includes controlling disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.

Harmful consequences of pesticides on organisms other than the intended target pest, including beneficial insects like pollinators and natural predators.

The development of pest populations that are no longer susceptible to a particular pesticide, requiring higher doses or alternative control methods.

Contamination of soil, water, and air by pesticides, posing risks to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.

Risks to human health from pesticide exposure through direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion, including acute poisoning, chronic effects, and developmental disorders.

Ensuring that all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs.

Countries with diverse food systems, adequate infrastructure, efficient distribution, social safety nets, favorable climates, and stable economies.

Countries facing environmental, sociological, and economic challenges that limit access to food.

Even wealthy countries can experience food insecurity due to economic shocks, natural disasters, or global supply chain disruptions.

A holistic approach to pest management that focuses on reducing chemical pesticide use and utilizing multiple control methods.

IPM minimizes environmental impacts, promotes sustainable pest management practices, and reduces reliance on chemical pesticides.

IPM utilizes a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical control methods to prevent pest problems, monitor populations, and manage pests sustainably.

Economic downturns can lead to job losses, income inequality, and reduced purchasing power, making it difficult for households to afford food.

Natural disasters like hurricanes and droughts can disrupt food production, distribution, and access.

Countries are vulnerable to disruptions in global food supply chains caused by pandemics, trade disputes, or geopolitical tensions.