Chapter 40 - Population Ecology: Discussion Question #1

Ms. Duncan
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Ms. Duncan

Posts: 10

Chapter 40 - Population Ecology: Discussion Question #1 Apr 9, 2018 23:39:42 GMT

Post by Ms. Duncan on Apr 9, 2018 23:39:42 GMT

Chapter 40 in your textbook discusses carrying capacity, which refers to the maximum number of individuals that a given environment can sustain indefinitely. Earth's population, as of April 2018, is 7.6 billion people, according to the World Population Clock. There are some scientists who believe we have surpassed Earth's carrying capacity and some who believe we are creeping up on it. Other scientists believe we will not reach carrying capacity for many years; despite this, they also believe we need to start preparing right now for that time.

If we need to starting preparing now for life on a planet whose carrying capacity has been exceeded, what are some things we need to do?

What are some of the impacts overpopulation will have on Earth? Are we seeing those things now, at 7.6 billion people?

How can we manipulate or change our environment so Earth can support its population?

What are resources beyond our control?

Which of our resources will be most heavily impacted by overpopulation?

Discuss!!!!

Link to the World Population Clock: www.worldometers.info/world-population/

averipaterson
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Chapter 40 - Population Ecology: Discussion Question #1 Apr 18, 2018 14:52:18 GMT via mobile

Post by averipaterson on Apr 18, 2018 14:52:18 GMT

If we need to start preparing now for life on a planet whose carrying capacity has been exceeded, we need to start conserving resources such as clean water, imperishable foods, oils, and we need to start planting more oxygen producing plants. If the situation were very serious, we should stop having so many kids per family. Some impacts of overpopulation include lack of clean water, draining resource of oils, overcrowding of big cities, which is happening today at 7.6 billion people. To support our population, we could manipulate our environment by stop having so many babies, more evenly distribution of largely populated cities, recycling, and keeping water clean by cutting out oil spills and littering. Some resources beyond our control are space to live and fossil fuels, which we can control the use of but we cannot make more of. The resources most heavily impacted by overpopulation include space to live, excess carbon dioxide, and lack of clean water.

michalajohnson
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Chapter 40 - Population Ecology: Discussion Question #1 Apr 18, 2018 16:41:21 GMT via mobile

Post by michalajohnson on Apr 18, 2018 16:41:21 GMT

Carrying capacity on earth has been exceeded and can only get worse from here. The problems may seem small but are very important, for example, house holds having so many kids per family will cut down water usage, the preducing of trash, and oxygen usages! The earth itself can only handle so much before it can no longer keep itself together. Global warming is a main product from humans outputs on the earth.