Chapter 13-Environmental Science

Front 1

Biotic Potential

Back 1

Is the rate at which a population would grow if every new individual survived to adulthood and reproduced at its maximum capacity

Front 2

Limiting Resources

Back 2

The resources that limit the growth of a population.

Front 3

Environmental resistance

Back 3

The combined effect of all of the factors that limit population growth

Front 4

Carrying capacity

Back 4

Is the maximum population size an environment can support for a long period of time

Front 5

Hunter-gatherers

Back 5

People who obtain their food by hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plant foods

Front 6

Agricultural revolution

Back 6

Change from hunting and gathering to agriculture had such dramatic results

Front 7

Environmental refugees

Back 7

People driven from their homes by severe environmental damage

Front 8

Summary

Back 8

Each population has a characteristic biotic potential. The biotic potential of a population represents the greatest growth possible if all members of the population reproduce at maximum capacity.

Front 9

Summary

Back 9

If there are no limits to the growth of a population, it will grow exponentially. Factors such as scarce resources and disease provide environmental resistance, preventing populations from growing at their biotic potential.

Front 10

Summary

Back 10

Carrying capacity is the maximum population a habitat can support indefinitely. A population that excedds carrying capacity for long periods degrades its environment and reduces future carrying capacity.

Front 11

Summary

Back 11

The transistion from hunting and gathering to farming initiated the agricultural revolution, which allowed the human population to increase. Industrialization has led to further population increases by lowering the death rate.

Front 12

Summary

Back 12

Today, the human population is growing at different rates in different parts of the world. The theory of demographic transition predicts that human populations will grow rapidly with increased industrialization, but will later stabilize as birth rates fall.

Front 13

Summary

Back 13

Population Growth
is determined by:
biotic potential
and
carrying capacity

Front 14

Summary

Back 14

Population Growth
is described by:
the theory of demographic transition and is devided into three phases:
1. hunter-gatherer societies
2. agricultural revolution
3. industrialization