Population Distribution and Environmental Impact

Population Distribution

• Clustered Patterns: Populations concentrated in areas with favorable conditions, such as near resources or cities.
• Scattered Patterns: Populations spread out over large areas, often in agricultural or remote settings.
• Linear Patterns: Populations concentrated along physical features like rivers, roads, or coastlines.

Urban vs. Rural

• Urban: Areas with high population density and infrastructure (e.g., cities).
• Rural: Areas with low population density, primarily agricultural and natural landscapes.

Non-Degradable Waste

• Plastics: Synthetic materials that break down slowly, polluting ecosystems.
• E-Waste: Discarded electronics containing toxic materials harmful to the environment.

Water Footprints

• Measure of water usage (direct and indirect) by individuals, communities, or nations.

Fresh Water Issues on Indigenous Reserves

• Causes: Aging infrastructure, contamination, lack of funding, and systemic neglect.
• Consequences: Health risks (e.g., boil-water advisories), socioeconomic challenges.

Depopulation

• Causes: Low birth rates, aging populations, economic decline, and out-migration.
• Effects: Reduced labor force, economic challenges, and empty infrastructure.

Push and Pull Factors

• Push Factors: Conditions driving people away from a location (e.g., conflict, poverty).
• Pull Factors: Conditions attracting people to a location (e.g., jobs, safety).

The Point System (Immigration)

• Canada's immigration system evaluates potential immigrants based on criteria like language skills, education, work experience, and adaptability.

Comprehensive vs. Specific Land Claims

• Comprehensive Claims: Address Indigenous land rights where treaties were never signed.
• Specific Claims: Resolve breaches of existing agreements or treaties.

Land Use Categories

• CBD (Central Business District): Dense urban areas, economic hub of a city.
• Inner City: Older urban areas often facing issues like urban decay or gentrification.
• Suburbs: Residential areas on the outskirts of cities.
• Rural Fringe: Transition zone between urban and rural areas.

Urban Sprawl

• Unplanned expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural lands.

Urban Decay

• Deterioration of urban areas due to neglect, poverty, and shifting populations.

Gentrification

• Revitalization of urban areas, often displacing low-income residents due to rising costs.

High/Low Birth Rates

• High Birth Rate Factors: Limited access to contraception, cultural norms, economic reliance on large families.
• Low Birth Rate Factors: Access to education, family planning, urbanization, career prioritization.

High/Low Death Rates

• High Death Rate Factors: Poor healthcare, malnutrition, conflict.
• Low Death Rate Factors: Advanced healthcare, improved living conditions, public health policies.

Landfills vs. Incinerators

• Landfills: Cost-effective but contribute to methane emissions and land use.
• Incinerators: Reduce waste volume but pose air pollution concerns.

Population Density

• Formula: Population Density = Total Population / Land Area

Population Pyramid Analysis

• Age Cohorts: Specific age ranges for analysis.
• Reproductive Cohorts: Ages associated with childbearing.
• Indicators of High Birth Rate: Wide base of the pyramid.
• Indicators of High Death Rate: Narrowing at younger age groups.
• Asymmetries: Gaps in gender or age groups (due to migration or conflict).
• Growth Types: (Fast, Slow/Stable, Contracting).

Water Usage

• Agriculture, industry, and domestic use (drinking, cleaning, irrigation) are all important in Canada.

Challenges of Aging Population

• Increased healthcare demands, pension system strain, and labor shortages.

Types of Migrants

• Economic immigrants, family reunification, refugees.
• Most immigrants settle in urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Refugee Challenges

• Language barriers, employment issues, cultural adjustment, access to services.

Canada's Migration Policies Strengths/Weaknesses

• Strengths: Comprehensive evaluation system, multicultural integration.
• Weaknesses: Long processing times, barriers to employment recognition.

Indigenous Population Insights

• Younger median age, higher growth rates, often face socioeconomic disparities.

Smart Growth

• Urban planning strategy to reduce sprawl by focusing on building environmentally-friendly neighborhoods and infrastructure.