Chapter 9 Applying Population Ecology The Human Population

Chapter 9 Applying Population Ecology: The Human Population and Its Impact

Core Case Study: Is the World Overpopulated? Ø The world’s population is projected to increase from 6. 6 billion to 8. 9 billion between 2006 and 2050. Ø The debate over interactions among population growth, economic growth, politics, and moral beliefs is one of the most important and controversial issues in environmental science.

Core Case Study: Is the World Overpopulated? Ø Much of the world’s population growth occurs in developing countries like China and India. Figure 9 -1

Core Case Study: Is the World Overpopulated? Ø Some argue that the planet has too many people. Ø Some feel that the world can support billions of more people due to technological advances. Ø There is a constant debate over the need to reduce population growth. l Must consider moral, religious, and personal freedom.

HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH: A BRIEF HISTORY Ø The human population has grown rapidly because of the expansion of agriculture and industrial production and lower death rates from improvements in hygiene and medicine. l l In 2006, the population of developed countries grew exponentially at 0. 1% per year. Developing countries grew (15 times faster at 1. 5% per year.

Where Are We Headed? Ø We do not know how long we can continue increasing the earth’s carrying capacity for humans. l l l There are likely to be between 7. 2 -10. 6 billion people on earth by 2050. 97% of growth in developing countries living in acute poverty. What is the optimum sustainable population of the earth based on the cultural carrying capacity?

Where Are We Headed? Ø U. N. world population projection based on women having an average of 2. 5 (high), 2. 0 (medium), or 1. 5 (low) children. Figure 9 -2

High 10. 6 Medium Population (billions) Low Medium 8. 9 Low 7. 2 Year Fig. 9 -2, p. 173

Demographic Measures Statistics about people, such as births, deaths, and where they live as well as total population size.

Gross National Product- The most commonly used measure of the economic growth of a country. Value of all goods & services produced. Per capita = person Density- number of people in a certain space.

Doubling time- The time it takes for the population to double the number of people Rule of 70 Doubling time = 70 Growth Rate

If a population of a country grows at a rate of 5% a year, the number of years required for the pop to double is what?

If a population of a country grows at a rate of 5% a year, the number of years required for the pop to double is what? Rule of 70: Doubling time = 70 = 14 years 5

Immigration- People coming into the population Emigration- The movement of people out of the population. Net Migration- Total number of people moving into or out of the population.

Birth rate (natality)- the number of births in a year per 1, 000 people. Death Rate (mortality)- the number of deaths in a year per 1, 000 people

Infant mortality rate- Number of babies out of every 1000 who die before their 1 st birthday. If a mother lives in an area with a high infant mortality rate she will tend to have a lot of children to ensure some will make it to adulthood.

FACTORS AFFECTING HUMAN POPULATION SIZE Ø Population increases because of births and immigration and decreases through deaths and emigration. Ø Instead of using raw numbers, crude birth rates and crude death rates are used (based on total number of births or deaths per 1, 000 people in a population).

Growth Rate- includes birth rate, death rate, immigration and emigration Using Raw Numbers: G. R. = (Births – deaths) + (Immigration – Emigration) X 100 Total Population If a population of 10, 000 experiences 100 births, 40 deaths, 10 immigrants and 30 emigrants in a year, what is the net annual percentage growth rate?

Growth Rate- includes birth rate, death rate, immigration and emigration Using Raw Numbers: G. R. = (Births – deaths) + (Immigration – Emigration) X 100 Total Population If a population of 10, 000 experiences 100 births, 40 deaths, 10 immigrants and 30 emigrants in a year, what is the net annual percentage growth rate? G. R. = (100 – 40) + (10 – 30) X 100 = 10, 000

Growth Rate- includes birth rate, death rate, immigration and emigration Using Raw Numbers: G. R. = (Births – deaths) + (Immigration – Emigration) X 100 Total Population If a population of 10, 000 experiences 100 births, 40 deaths, 10 immigrants and 30 emigrants in a year, what is the net annual percentage growth rate? G. R. = (100 – 40) + (10 – 30) X 100 = 60 + (-20) X 100 10, 000

Growth Rate- includes birth rate, death rate, immigration and emigration Using Raw Numbers: G. R. = (Births – deaths) + (Immigration – Emigration) X 100 Total Population If a population of 10, 000 experiences 100 births, 40 deaths, 10 immigrants and 30 emigrants in a year, what is the net annual percentage growth rate? G. R. = (100 – 40) + (10 – 30) X 100 = 60 + (-20) X 100 10, 000 = 40 = 0. 4% 100

Growth rate: Using Crude Rates Ø Instead of using raw numbers, crude birth rates and crude death rates are used (based on total number of births or deaths per 1, 000 people in a population). (Birth rate - death rate) + (immigration rate – emigration rate) X 1000

Growth rate: Using Crude Rates Ø Instead of using raw numbers, crude birth rates and crude death rates are used (based on total number of births or deaths per 1, 000 people in a population). (Birth rate - death rate) + (immigration rate – emigration rate) X 1000 G. R. = (Birth rate - death rate) + (immigration rate – emigration rate) 10

Growth rate: Using Crude Rates If the birth rate is 20, the death rate is 30, immigration is 40, and the emigration rate is 10, what is the growth rate for this country?

Growth rate: Using Crude Rates If the birth rate is 20, the death rate is 30, immigration is 40, and the emigration rate is 10, what is the growth rate for this country? G. R. = (B. R. – D. R. ) + (I. R. – E. R. ) 10

Growth rate: Using Crude Rates If the birth rate is 20, the death rate is 30, immigration is 40, and the emigration rate is 10, what is the growth rate for this country? G. R. = (B. R. – D. R. ) + (I. R. – E. R. ) 10 = (20 – 30) + (40 – 10) 10

Growth rate: Using Crude Rates If the birth rate is 20, the death rate is 30, immigration is 40, and the emigration rate is 10, what is the growth rate for this country? G. R. = (B. R. – D. R. ) + (I. R. – E. R. ) 10 = (20 – 30) + (40 – 10) = -10 + 30 = 10 10

Growth rate: Using Crude Rates If the birth rate is 20, the death rate is 30, immigration is 40, and the emigration rate is 10, what is the growth rate for this country? G. R. = (B. R. – D. R. ) + (I. R. – E. R. ) 10 = (20 – 30) + (40 – 10) = -10 + 30 = 2% 10 10 10

FACTORS AFFECTING HUMAN POPULATION SIZE Ø Average crude birth and death rates for various groupings of countries in 2006. Figure 9 -3

Average crude birth rate Average crude death rate 21 World 9 All developed countries All developing countries Developing countries (w/o China) 11 10 23 8 27 9 Fig. 9 -3, p. 174

38 Africa 15 Latin and Central America 21 6 20 Asia 7 Oceania 17 7 United States North America Europe 14 8 10 11 Fig. 9 -3, p. 174

FACTORS AFFECTING HUMAN POPULATION SIZE Ø The world’s 10 most populous countries in 2006 with projections in 2025. Figure 9 -4

1. 3 billion 1. 5 billion 1. 1 billion 1. 4 billion China India USA Indonesia Brazil Pakistan Bangladesh Russia Nigeria Japan 300 million 349 million 225 million 264 million 187 million 229 million 166 million 229 million 147 million 190 million 142 million 130 million 135 million 199 million 128 million 121 million 2006 2025 Fig. 9 -4, p. 174

Declining Fertility Rates: Fewer Babies per Women Ø The average number of children that a woman bears has dropped sharply. Ø This decline is not low enough to stabilize the world’s population in the near future.

Fertility Rates: Ø The Replacement-level Fertility the number of children a couple must bear to replace themselves to stabilize a population is ideally 2. 0 children. Ø It is actually slightly higher because some children die. l l 2. 1 in developed countries 2. 5 in developing countries because of higher infant mortality

Fertility Rates: Ø Total fertility rate (TFR): the average number of children a woman has during her reproductive years. Ø In 2006, the average global Total Fertility Rate was 2. 7 children per woman. l l 1. 6 in developed countries (down from 2. 5 in 1950). 3. 0 in developing countries (down from 6. 5 in 1950).

When Total Fertility Rate = Replacement-level Fertility Zero population growth

Case Study: Fertility and Birth Rates in the United States Ø Nearly 2. 9 million people were added to the U. S. in 2006: l l 59% occurred because of births outnumbering deaths. 41% came from illegal and legal immigration.

Case Study: Fertility and Birth Rates in the United States Ø In 2006, the total fertility rate in the United States was slightly > 2. 0 Figure 9 -5

Births per woman Baby boom (1946– 64) Replacement Level Year Fig. 9 -5, p. 175

Case Study: Fertility and Birth Rates in the United States Ø The baby bust that followed the baby boom was largely due to delayed marriage, contraception, and abortion. Figure 9 -6

Births per thousand population Demographic transition End of World War II Depression Baby boom Baby bust Echo baby boom Year Fig. 9 -6, p. 175

Case Study: U. S. Immigration Ø Since 1820, the U. S. has admitted almost twice as many immigrants and refugees as all other countries combined. Figure 9 -8

Number of legal immigrants (thousands) 1907 1914 New laws restrict Immigration Great Depression Year Fig. 9 -8, p. 178

Factors Affecting Birth Rates and Fertility Rates Ø The number of children women have is affected by: l l l l The cost of raising and educating them. Availability of pensions. Urbanization. Education and employment opportunities. Infant deaths. Marriage age. Availability of contraception and abortion.

Factors Affecting Death Rates Ø Death rates have declined because of: l l Increased food supplies, better nutrition. Advances in medicine. Improved sanitation and personal hygiene. Safer water supplies. Ø U. S. infant mortality is higher than it could be (ranked 46 th world-wide) due to: l l l Inadequate pre- and post-natal care for poor. Drug addiction. High teenage birth rate.

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Ø The number of people in young, middle, and older age groups determines how fast populations grow or decline. Ø The number of people younger than age 15 is the major factor determining a country’s population growth. Ø Changes in the distribution of a country’s age groups have long-lasting economic and social impacts.

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Ø Populations with a large proportion of its people in the preproductive ages 1 -14 have a large potential for rapid population growth. Figure 9 -9

Male Female Expanding Rapidly Guatemala Nigeria Saudi Arabia Prereproductive ages 0– 14 Male Female Expanding Slowly United States Australia Canada Reproductive ages 15– 44 Male Female Stable Spain Portugal Greece Female Male Declining Germany Bulgaria Italy Postreproductive ages 45– 85+ Fig. 9 -9, p. 179

Expansive/rapid growth Birth rate exceeds the death rate. Population is getting larger. Pyramid shaped histogram with wide base.

Stable/Slow Growth (Zero Growth) Birth rate almost equals death rate. The population is not getting any larger or is growing very slowly. Mainly due to immigration Histogram shape is straighter and more box-like until old age

Declining (negative growth) When the birth rate is smaller than the death rate. The pyramid bulges near the top or is inverted.

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Ø 32% of the people in developing countries were under 15 years old in 2006 versus only 17% in developed countries. Figure 9 -10

Developed Countries Female Age Male Population (millions) Fig. 9 -10 a, p. 179

Developed Countries Female Age Male Population (millions) Fig. 9 -10 b, p. 179

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Ø Today, baby boomers make up nearly half of all adult Americans and dominate the populations demand for goods and services. Figure 9 -11

Females 1955 Males Females 1985 Age Age Males Females 2015 Males Females Males 2035 Fig. 9 -11, p. 180

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Death from AIDS and war can disrupt a country’s social and economic structure by removing significant numbers of young adults. → leaving very old and very young

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Ø About 14% of the world’s population live in countries with stabilizing or declining populations. Ø Global aging may help promote peace. l l Fewer young adults available for service Smaller families → parents more reluctant to support military that could wipe out offspring Smaller labor force → competition for workers between industry & military Less taxes → decreasing government funds

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Ø A rapid population decline can lead to long-lasting economic and social problems. Ø The cost of an aging population will strain the global economy. Figure 9 -12

POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE Ø Some problems with rapid population decline. Figure 9 -13

• Can threaten economic growth • Less government revenues with fewer workers • Less entrepreneurship and new business formation • Less likelihood for new technology development • Increasing public deficits to fund higher pension and healthcare costs Fig. 9 -13, p. 182

SOLUTIONS: INFLUENCING POPULATION SIZE Ø Demographic Transition: As countries become economically developed, their birth and death rates tend to decline. l l Preindustrial stage: little population growth due to high infant mortality. Transitional stage: industrialization begins, death rates drops and birth rates remain high. Industrial stage: birth rate drops and approaches death rate. Postindustrial stage: birth rate drops below death rate = population is declining

SOLUTIONS: INFLUENCING POPULATION SIZE Ø Generalized model of demographic transition. l Some developing countries may have difficulty making the demographic transition. Figure 9 -14

Demographic stages in countries. As countries becomes industrialized their birth rates decline.

Pre-industrial Ø Harsh living conditions lead to a high birth rate and high death rate. Thus, little population growth.

Transitional Ø As industrialization begins: food production rises l health care improves. Ø So…Death rates drop BUT birth rates remain high Ø The population grows rapidly Ø KEY: move countries through this phase as quickly as possible l

Industrial Ø Industrialization is wide spread Ø The birth rate drops and eventually approaches the death rate. Ø Population growth slows Ø This is because of: l l Birth rate Death rate better access to birth control decline in the infant mortality rate increased job opportunities for women the high cost of raising children who don’t enter the work force until after high school or college.

Postindustrial Ø The birth rate declines even further, equaling the death rate and thus reaching zero population growth. Ø Then, the birth rate falls below the death rate and the total population size slowly decreases → negative growth rate. Ø 37 countries have reached this stage. (mainly in W. Europe) Ø To most population experts, the challenge is to help the remaining 88% of the world to get to this stage.

Stage 1 Preindustrial Stage 2 Transitional Stage 3 Industrial Stage 4 Postindustrial Relative population size Birth rate and death rate (number per 1, 00 per year) High Birth rate Death rate Low Total population Increasing Very high Decreasing Low Zero Negative Low Growth rate over time Fig. 9 -14, p. 183

Developing vs. Developed Ø Developing (Transitional, Third World): Higher infant mortality rate because of a shortage in prenatal and pediatric care. Thus, they have more children to ensure some survive. Agricultural societies need children to help in the labor force. Lower per capita income or poorer countries need children to provide an income and sometimes contraceptives are not affordable. Women lack education and job opportunities. Ø Developed (Industrial, First World): Educated and working women tend to delay childbearing. Pension systems support people as they age. Family planning and the ability to control fertility. Higher cost of raising children causes people to have smaller families. Abortion is legal.

Urbanization Ø Ø Ø Urbanization is the movement of people from rural areas into cities Urban areas must import most of its food, water, energy, minerals, & other resources because of large populations Large populations produce and consume enormous quantities of resources that can pollute the air, water & land. Disease can easily spread in urban areas because of the high density population. Environmental pressures of urbanization from population growth are reduced because birth rates in urban areas usually are 3 -4 x’s lower than in rural areas because cities provide more education and employment opportunities.

SOLUTIONS: INFLUENCING POPULATION SIZE Ø Family planning has been a major factor in reducing the number of births and abortions throughout most of the world. Ø Women tend to have fewer children if they are: l l Educated. Hold a paying job outside the home. Do not have their human right suppressed. Have access to contraceptives.

SOLUTIONS: INFLUENCING POPULATION SIZE Ø The best way to slow population growth is a combination of: l Elevating the status of women: • • • l l Education Jobs Human rights Investing in family planning. Reducing poverty.

SLOWING POPULATION GROWTH IN INDIA AND CHINA Ø For more than five decades, India has tried to control its population growth with only modest success. Ø Since 1970, China has used a government- enforced program to cut its birth rate in half and sharply reduce its fertility rate.

Percentage of world population Population 17% Illiteracy (% of adults) Infant mortality rate 47% 17% Population under age 15 (%) Total fertility rate 36% 20% 1. 6% 0. 6% 2. 9 children per women (down from 5. 3 in 1970) 1. 6 children per women (down from 5. 7 in 1972) 58 27 62 years 70 years Life expectancy Percentage living below $2 per day GDP PPP per capita 20% 1. 1 billion 1. 3 billion 1. 4 billion 1. 6 billion Population (2050) (estimated) Population growth rate (%) India China 80 47 $3, 120 $5, 890 Fig. 9 -15, p. 186

India’s Failed Family Planning Program Ø Poor planning. Ø Bureaucratic inefficiency. Ø Low status of women. Ø Extreme poverty. Ø Lack of administrative financial support. Ø Disagreement over the best ways to slow population growth.

China’s Family Planning Program Ø Currently, China’s TFR is 1. 6 children per women. Ø China has moved 300 million people out of poverty. Ø Problems: l l l Strong male preference leads to gender imbalance. Average population age is increasing. Not enough resource to support population.

Some countries, including China, penalize couples who have more than one or two children by: 1. Raising their taxes 2. Charging other fees 3. Eliminating income tax deductions for a couple’s third child 4. Loss of health-care benefits, food allotments and job options 5. Forced abortions

In China couples who pledge to have no more than one child receive 1. Extra food 2. Larger pensions 3. Better housing 4. Free medical care 5. Salary bonuses 6. Free school tuition for their one child 7. Preferential treatment in employment when their child enters the job market.

Because of one-child policies and cultural issues, in some countries, there is a strong preference for male children. 1. Girls are aborted at a higher rate than boys 2. Some infant girls are killed 3. Male children receive more education & sometimes are even fed better than female children. Result: Rapidly growing gender imbalance or “bride shortage” → resort to kidnapping brides

Environmental Impact Our big footprints

HUMAN ASPECTS ON NATURAL SYSTEMS Ø Excluding Antarctica, human activities have affect about 83% of the earths land surface. Figure 9 -16

HUMAN ASPECTS ON NATURAL SYSTEMS Ø We have used technology to alter much of the rest of nature in ways that threaten the survival of many other species and could reduce the quality of life for our own species. Figure 9 -17

Natural Capital Degradation Altering Nature to Meet Our Needs Reduction of biodiversity Increasing use of the earth's net primary productivity Increasing genetic resistance of pest species and disease-causing bacteria Elimination of many natural predators Deliberate or accidental introduction of potentially harmful species into communities Using some renewable resources faster than they can be replenished Interfering with the earth's chemical cycling and energy flow processes Relying mostly on polluting fossil fuels Fig. 9 -17, p. 188

Environmental Impact Equation Population X affluence X technology = Environmental impact

Developed Countries Ø High rates of resource use Result in high levels of pollution and environmental degradation person Ø These are believed to be the key factors determining overall environmental impact. (Cont…. ) Ø

• It is estimated that a US citizen consumes 35 X’s as much as the average citizen of India and 100 X’s as much as the average person in the world’s poorest countries. • Thus, poor parents in a developing country would need 70 -200 kids to have the same lifetime environmental impact as 2 typical US kids.

Reasons for World Hunger Issues Ø Unequal distribution of available food Ø Loss of arable land Ø Increasing population size Ø Increasing poverty in developing countries Ø Increasing meat consumption: l Eating higher on the food chain consumes more resources • Plant/grain based diets can feed greater number of people (use less land, water, fuel to produce)

Strategies for ensuring adequate nutrition for a growing population: Ø Increase the number of new food crops from a diversity of plant species Ø Distribute food more equitably Ø Increase land are that is dedicated to grain production rather than meat production Ø Assist developing countries in efficient crop irrigation systems.

Factors that affect birth & fertility rates Importance of kids in labor force Ø Urbanization Ø Cost of raising & educating kids Ø Availability of private & public pensions Ø Religious beliefs, traditions & cultural norms Ø Educational & employment opportunities Ø Infant mortality rate Ø Average at marriage Ø Availability of reliable birth control Ø

SOLUTIONS: INFLUENCING POPULATION SIZE Ø The best way to slow population growth is a combination of: l Elevating the status of women: • • • l l Education Jobs Human rights Investing in family planning → contraceptives Reducing poverty.

1994 Global Summit on Population & Development Ø Cairo, Egypt Ø Encouraged action to stabilized the world’s population at 7. 8 billion by 2050, instead of the projected 1112. 5 billion.

The major goals are to: Ø Provide universal access to family-planning services. Ø Improve the health care of infants, children & pregnant women Ø Encourage development of national population policies Ø Improving the status of women by expanding education & job opportunities

Major goals continued: Ø Increase access to education for girls Ø Increase men’s involvement in child- rearing responsibility & family planning Ø Take steps to eradicate poverty Ø Reduce & eliminate unsustainable patterns of production & consumption.