Ecology Chapter 8 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the Industrial Revolution?

Introduction of machinery powered by fossil fuels, marked by the shift from rural, agricultural-based society to urban industry based society.

What does infant mortality refer to?

The death of children under the age of one year.

What is life expectancy?

Average number of years an individual can expect to live.

What is the growth rate?

Change in size of a population over a specific period. Signup and view all the answers

What is demography?

Study of human populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the total fertility rate?

Average number of children a female member of a population gives birth to during her lifetime. Signup and view all the answers

What is demographic transition?

Theory that links lower birth rates and death rates in a population to improvements in education, economic conditions, and health care. Signup and view all the answers

What are emerging diseases?

Diseases that appear in the human population for the first time or that have existed for a while but are spreading rapidly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the wealth gap?

Difference in assets and income between individuals in a society or between nations. Signup and view all the answers

How did the development of agriculture trigger an increase in human population size?

Advances in agriculture led to longer lives and a bigger population growth because of fossil fuel machines such as tractors, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, refrigeration, and trains to transport food. Signup and view all the answers

When was the Industrial Revolution?

Mid 1700s. Signup and view all the answers

What are three advances that contributed to population growth during the Industrial Revolution?

Sanitation, medical technology, changes in agriculture. Signup and view all the answers

What are recent trends in human population growth?

Humans use technology to extend Earth's carrying capacity for our species. Signup and view all the answers

How do age structures and sex ratios define a population's potential for growth?

An age structure describes the relative number of people within different age brackets in a population. A sex ratio is the number of males compared to females in a population. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the four stages of demographic transition.

Pre-industrial = birth rates and death rates are high; Transitional = birth rates are increasing but death rates are declining; Industrial = birth rates start to decline and death rates stay low; Post-industrial = both birth rates and death rates fall to low/stable levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecological footprint?

The amount of land in square miles an individual uses in terms of resource use and waste management. Signup and view all the answers

What are the differences in environmental strains between affluent societies and poor societies?

Affluent societies = larger ecological footprints, use more food, water, and energy, and purchase more products, leading to more waste. Poor societies = government cannot supply clean water and adequate sewage treatment, often leading to land overuse due to poverty. Signup and view all the answers

What are the positive and negative impacts of technology?

Positive = renewable energy, technology can produce cheap & clean energy. Negative = pollution, loss of biodiversity, climate changes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Definitions

Industrial Revolution: Transition to machinery using fossil fuels, shifting society from rural, agriculture-based to urban, industrial environments.
Infant Mortality: Refers to the death of children under one year of age, a critical indicator of health and well-being.
Life Expectancy: The average number of years an individual is expected to live, reflecting overall health and living conditions.
Growth Rate: Indicates the change in population size over a defined period, essential for understanding demographic trends.
Demography: The academic discipline focused on studying human populations, including size, distribution, and dynamics.
Total Fertility Rate: The average number of children a woman is expected to give birth to during her reproductive years, influencing population growth.
Demographic Transition: A theory linking declines in birth and death rates to advancements in education, economic factors, and health care access.
Emerging Diseases: Diseases that are either newly identified or have significantly increased in prevalence, highlighting public health concerns.
Wealth Gap: The disparity in assets and income among individuals within a society and between countries, impacting economic status and health outcomes.

Population Growth and Agriculture

Advances in agriculture, facilitated by technology (e.g., fossil fuel-powered machinery, synthetic fertilizers), significantly increased human population growth by enhancing food production and longevity.

Historical Context

Industrial Revolution Timeline: Started in the mid-1700s, marking a pivotal shift in industry and society.

Factors Influencing Population Growth

Key advances during the Industrial Revolution contributing to population increase include improvements in sanitation, medical technology, and agricultural practices.

Trends in Human Population

Modern technology has expanded Earth's carrying capacity for humans, enabling larger population sizes through enhanced resource management.

Population Dynamics

Age Structures: The age distribution within a population affects potential growth; younger populations may indicate higher growth potential.
Sex Ratios: The balance of males to females in a population influences reproductive capacity and growth rates.

Stages of Demographic Transition

Pre-Industrial Stage: Characterized by high birth and death rates.
Transitional Stage: Birth rates rise while death rates decrease, leading to population growth.
Industrial Stage: Birth rates begin to fall while death rates remain low.
Post-Industrial Stage: Both birth and death rates stabilize at low levels, indicating a mature population dynamics.

Ecological Footprint

Defined as the total area of land and water needed for an individual’s resource use and waste management, reflecting environmental sustainability.

Environmental Challenges

Affluent Societies: Tend to have larger ecological footprints, consuming more resources and generating higher waste due to increased consumption patterns.
Poor Societies: Often experience severe environmental strains like inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, leading to land overuse and poverty cycles.

Impact of Technology

Positive Impacts: Advancements include renewable energy sources that promote clean energy production and sustainability.
Negative Impacts: Technology can also lead to environmental degradation through pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key terms from Ecology Chapter 8 with these flashcards. Explore important concepts like the Industrial Revolution and its impact on society, as well as vital statistics such as infant mortality and life expectancy.