What is the environmental context of population change?
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What is the environmental context of population change?
The environmental context of population change is the physical geography that affects the size, distribution and growth rate of an area's population and includes climate, soil, resources and water supply.
How is population density measured?
Population density is usually measured in population per km2.
Define population distribution.
Population distribution describes the pattern of how a population is spread over an area.
What do development processes describe?
Development processes describe how human societies advance over time due to changes in technology.
True or False?
Each advance in development has no effect on population size, density or distribution.
False.
Each advancing development changes the population size, density and distribution.
How many major global advances in development have there been?
There have been three major global advances in development. These were the Neolithic, Industrial and Green Revolutions.
What & when was the Green Revolution?
The Green Revolution was during the 1960s, when agricultural yields were maximised with new farming and seed technologies, particularly in less developed and developing countries, ensuring more reliable food supplies.
True or False?
Global population growth rates have been increasing since 1970.
False.
The global average growth rate has declined since around 1970.
What is the current world population?
The world population is over 8 billion as of November 2022.
By which year is the world population projected to reach over 11 billion?
The world population is projected to reach more than 11 billion by approximately 2100.
True or False?
Global food production has decreased in the last 50 years.
False.
Global food production has increased significantly in the last 50 years, with three times more food produced today than in 1970.
What are the two main factors that influence the global distribution of food production?
The global distribution of food production is influenced by physical factors (climate, soils, relief and water availability) and human factors (economic resources and investment in technology).
Define subsistence agriculture.
Subsistence agriculture is a system where food is produced to feed family or community and only excess is sold or traded, often with low output levels.
What is commercial agriculture?
Commercial agriculture is a system where crops are grown or livestock raised to sell for profit, often with high output levels.
Define intensive agriculture.
Intensive agriculture is a system with high yields per area of land as a result of large investments in capital or labour.
What is extensive agriculture?
Extensive agriculture is a system with small inputs of capital or labour per area, leading to low yields.
True or False?
Soil quality is not important for agricultural productivity.
False.
Soil quality is a key factor in agricultural productivity.
What are some important soil characteristics for agriculture?
Important soil characteristics for agriculture include depth, structure, mineral content, moisture retention, and aeration.
Define soil degradation.
Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality due to improper use, usually for agricultural, industrial or urban purposes.
What is the ideal temperature range for most crops?
The ideal temperature range for most crops is between 6°C and 25°C, allowing for the highest productivity and longest growing seasons.
What are the main characteristics of a tropical monsoon climate?
The main characteristics of a tropical monsoon climate are a distinct hot, wet (monsoon) season and a cooler dry season.
What is the ITCZ?
The ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone) is a belt of low pressure which circles the Earth generally near the equator where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together.
True or False?
Monsoon regions typically support small populations.
False.
Monsoon regions can support large populations due to high agricultural yields from the warm, wet conditions.
Where are polar climates typically found?
Polar climates are typically found in both the northern and southern hemispheres above 66° latitude.
True or False?
Agriculture in polar regions is highly productive.
False.
Agriculture in polar regions is mainly subsistence, with low productivity due to the harsh climate and thin soils.
How many people live within the Arctic Circle?
Around 4 million people live within the Arctic Circle.
What is one positive effect of climate change on agriculture in some regions?
One positive effect of climate change on agriculture in some regions is longer growing seasons in higher latitudes.
What is one negative effect of climate change on agriculture?
One negative effect of climate change on agriculture is the increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and floods.
How might climate change affect pest and disease prevalence in agriculture?
Climate change might lead to increased pest and disease prevalence in agriculture due to warmer temperatures allowing pests to survive in new areas.
What is one way climate change might affect water availability for agriculture?
Climate change might affect water availability for agriculture through changes in precipitation patterns and increased evaporation rates.
What are zonal soils?
Zonal soils are soils that form over long periods of time, typically taking 100 years for every inch of soil.
Where are tropical red latosols typically found?
Tropical red latosols are typically found in the tropical rainforest biome.
True or False?
Tropical red latosols are typically shallow soils.
False.
Tropical red latosols are typically deep soils, often 30–40 metres thick.
Where are taiga podsols typically found?
Podsol (or Podzol) soils form under coniferous woodland or heather moorland in taiga biomes (also known as boreal forest in North America).
What is soil erosion?
Soil erosion is the wearing away of fertile topsoil by wind and water.
What is waterlogging?
Waterlogging is when pores between soil particles fill with stagnant water.
What is salinisation?
Salinisation is the accumulation of salt within soil.
What is structural deterioration in soils?
Structural deterioration in soils occurs when pore spaces are lost as the structure of the soil is squeezed or collapses.
Name one management strategy for salinisation.
Management strategies for salinization include:
Drip-irrigation and soil moisture monitoring.
Selection of deep-rooted crops to increase water retention.
Soil flushing with water.
Using fertilisers with low salt content.
True or False?
Taiga podsols are typically deep soils.
False.
Taiga podsols are typically shallow soils, rarely exceeding one metre in thickness.
What is food security?
Food security is humans' ability to access a diet of sufficient quantity and quality to meet their daily health needs and lead an active life.
What two dimensions are considered when assessing food security?
Two dimensions considered when assessing food security are:
People's physical availability of food.
People's physical and economic access to food.
Which regions of the world are considered most food secure?
North America, Europe, Japan and Australasia are the regions considered most food secure.
Which regions face the greatest risk of food insecurity?
The greatest risk of food insecurity is in sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan and Haiti.
What are hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil using mineral nutrient solutions in water.
What is genetic modification in agriculture?
Genetic modification in agriculture is the process of altering the DNA of plants to make them more resistant to drought, pests and disease.
What are food banks?
Food banks are non-profit organisations that collect and distribute food to those who have difficulty purchasing enough to avoid hunger.
Which countries are at greatest risk of food insecurity?
The greatest risk of food insecurity is in sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan and Haiti.
How can consumer education improve food security?
Education can improve food security by teaching consumers to cook, buy only what they need, and donate leftovers to food banks.
What was the Green Revolution?
The Green Revolution was a period since 1960 that introduced new crop varieties with higher yields, more mechanisation, better irrigation techniques, and new fertilisers and pesticides.