Human Population Growth - Crash Course Ecology #3

Recent questions

• How has the human population growth evolved over time?

  The human population has been experiencing exponential growth since around 1650, starting with 500 million people and now exceeding 7 billion. This growth has been influenced by factors such as advancements in agriculture, medical science, sanitation, and living conditions, leading to an increase in carrying capacity for humans.

• What is the R vs. K Selection Theory in ecology?

  The R vs. K Selection Theory in ecology explains how some species prioritize quantity over quality in reproduction, while others focus on fewer offspring with heavy investment. Despite humans being K-selected reproducers, they have shown exponential growth similar to R-selected species due to increased carrying capacity.

• What factors contribute to human population growth?

  Factors contributing to human population growth include advancements in agriculture, medical science, sanitation, and living conditions. These improvements have led to an increase in Earth's carrying capacity for humans, estimated to be between 10-15 billion people based on ecological footprint calculations.

• How has the human population growth rate changed over time?

  The human population growth rate peaked in 1962 at 2.2% per year and has been declining since. This decline is influenced by factors such as education, career choices, and urbanization, as well as women delaying childbirth, changing lifestyles, and access to birth control, leading to smaller families.

• Why is human population growth still a concern?

  Despite the declining growth rate, human population is still a concern due to ecological impacts and the need for sustainable solutions. As the population continues to grow, conflicts over resources and space are likely to increase, impacting other species and potentially leading to extinction events.