| Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships, 8/e Eldon Enger,
Delta College Bradley F. Smith,
Western Washington University
Population Principles
Chapter ObjectivesAfter reading this chapter, you should be able to:
Understand that birthrate and death rate are both important in determining the population growth rate. |
| | | Define the following characteristics of a population: natality, mortality, sex ratio, age distribution, biotic potential, and spatial distribution. |
| | | Explain the significance of biotic potential to the rate of population growth. |
| | | Describe the lag, exponential growth, and stable equilibrium phases of a population growth curve. Explain why each of these stages occurs. |
| | | Describe how the limiting factors determine the carrying capacity for a population. |
| | | List the four categories of limiting factors. |
| | | Describe a death phase that is typical of some kinds of populations. |
| | | Recognize that humans are subject to the same forces of environmental resistance as are other organisms. |
| | | Understand the implications of overreproduction. |
| | | Understand that the human population is still growing rapidly. |
| | | Explain how human population growth is influenced by social, theological, philosophical, and political thinking. |
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