Week 18.Population Biology

Cartoon

In this cartoon, a train labeled '' World Food Supply'' is trying to climb the steep section of an exponential growth curve. It is saying '' I think I can, I think I can, I hope I can, I really hope I can, Man, Hope I can!'' Why is it getting so hard for the the world food supply to keep up with human growth? 

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to 

• Describe common population growth models.
• Define carrying capacity.
• Provide accurate explanations of population growth graphs, including carrying capacity.
• Define and identify examples of density-independent and density-dependent factors.
• Explain how population growth data plays a role in conservation.
• Draw connections between human population growth and social/political and economic conditions

Study Guide Questions

1. Be able to read a population graph and interpret the population size, population density and population growth rate at different points in time

Examples: 

2. Compare these age structure graphs and be able to determine which population has the highest birth rate, death rate, and what will happen to those rates over time. 

3. Swedish statistician, Hans Rosling, argues that saving the lives of poor children around the world is the most important action we can take for reducing population growth.  Explain why this is the case:

• • • What has happened to birth rate world wide?
    • What has  happened to death rate world wide?
    • Why has this lead to an increase in the growth rate of populations?
    • Why do measures to save lives of children lead to lower birth rates?