ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
POPULATION DYNAMICS
UNIT 1: POPULATION ECOLOGY
Population ecology is the study of how populations — of plants, animals, and other
organisms — change over time and space and interact with their environment.
Populations are groups of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the
same time. They are described by characteristics that include:
1. Population size: the number of individuals in the population.
2. Population density: how many individuals are in a particular area.
3. Population growth: how the size of the population is changing over time.
LESSON 1.1: POPULATION GROWTH MODELS
Population Growth Models helps ecologists to predict how the size of a
particular population will change over time under different conditions. In 1798, Thoman
Malthus, a English clergyman, published a book stating the Types of Population Growth
Models which are:
A. Exponential Growth Model
- Constant Growth Rate: Occurs when the rate of reproduction is proportional
to the population size. In other words, the larger the population, the faster it
grows.
- Unrestricted Sources: Assumes an abundance of resources necessary for
sustenance and reproduction. These resources can include food, shelter,
space, and other environmental factors.
- No Competition: Disregards factors such as predation, disease, and
competition for resources, which would limit population growth in real-world
situation.
- J-Shaped Curve: When plotted on a graph, exponential growth produces a J-
shaped curve, with the population size increasing rapidly over time.
B. Logistic Growth Model
- Limited Sources: Considers the finite availability of resources in an
environment, which imposes constraints on population growth as it
approaches carrying capacity.
- Carrying Capacity: The maximum population size that can be supported by
the available resources and environmental conditions. As the population
approaches this limit, competition for resources increases, leading to a
decrease in the growth rate.
- S-Shaped Curve: When plotted on a graph, logistic growth produces an S-
shaped curve. Initially, the curve resembles exponential growth, but it
gradually flattens as the population stabilizes near the carrying capacity.
- Density – Dependent: As the population density rises, factors such as
competition for resources, predation, disease, and territory influences it,
which contributes to the deceleration of growth.
LESSON 1.2: CARRYING CAPACITY AND LIMITING FACTORS
CARRYING CAPACITY
- The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an
environment can support sustainably over time without being degraded.
- Is determined by the availability of resources such as food, water, shelter, and
space.
Example: In a forest, the carrying capacity for deer might be limited by the amount of
vegetation available for food and the space they need to live and reproduce.
LIMITING FACTORS
- Are environmental conditions or resources that restrict the growth,
abundance, or distribution of a population within an ecosystem.
- Can be classified into two types:
a.) BIOTIC (living organisms)
b.) ABIOTIC (nonliving organisms)
LESSON 1.3: POPULATION REGULATION MECHANISMS
Population regulation mechanisms are processes that control the size and growth
of populations within ecosystems. They can be divided into two main types:
a.) Density-Dependent Factors
- are factors whose effect on a population is determined by the total size of the
population.
Examples: Competition, predation, disease, and parasites
b.) Density-Independent Factors
- is one which limits the size of a population, but whose effect is not dependent
on the size of the population (the number of individuals).
Examples: Weather, natural disasters, and human activities
UNIT 2: HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH
Human population growth refers to the increase in the number of individuals
living in the world or a specific region over time. It is typically measured as the change
in population size over a given period and can be expressed as a percentage increase
per year.
LESSON 2.1: DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION MODEL
The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is a theory that describes the
changes in birth rates, death rates, and population growth as a country develops
economically. It is divided into four or five stages, each representing a different phase of
demographic and economic development.
STAGES OF DEMOGRAHIV TRANSITION MODEL:
a.) Stage 1: Pre-Industrial
- High birth and death rates; population growth is slow and fluctuating.
Examples: Early human history.
b.) Stage 2: Early Industrial
- Death rates decline due to improvements in healthcare and sanitation; birth
rates remain high; rapid population growth.
Example: Sub-Saharan Africa
c.) Stage 3: Late Industrial
- Birth rates begin to decline due to changes in societal values and access to
contraception; population growth slows down.
Example: Brazil and Mexico.
d.) Stage 4: Post-Industrial
- Both birth and death rates are low; population growth stabilizes or may
decline.
Example: United States, Germany, and Japan.
e.) Stage 5 (Optional): Declining
- Birth rates fall below death rates, leading to a declining population.
Example: Japan and Italy.
LESSON 2.2: POPULATION POLICIES AND FAMILY PLANNING
Population policies and family planning are strategies and measures
implemented by governments and organizations to manage population growth and
improve public health and well-being.
POPULATION POLICIES
- Influences the rate of population growth or decline, address demographic
imbalances, and ensure sustainable development.
TYPES OF POPULATION POLICIES:
a.) Pro-Natalist Policies
- Encourage higher birth rates.
Examples: Financial incentives, parental leave, and subsidized childcare.
b.) Anti-Natalist Policies
- Aim to reduce birth rates.
Examples: Educational campaigns, access to contraception, and legal
restrictions on family size.
FAMILY PLANNING:
- To help individuals and couples control the number and spacing of their
children, improving health outcomes and quality of life.
a.) Contraceptive Methods
- Include oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectables, patches, vaginal rings,
intra uterine devices, condoms, male and female sterilization, lactational
amenorrhea methods, withdrawal and fertility awareness-based methods.
b.) Educational Programs
- Provide information on reproductive health, contraception, and planning for
families.
c.) Access to Services
- Ensures availability of family planning services and counseling.
LESSON 2.3: IMPACTS OF POPULATION GROWTH ON RESOURCES
Population growth can significantly impact resources in various ways, both
directly and indirectly. Here are some key impacts:
1. Resource Depletion:
- Natural Resources: Increased population leads to higher demand for natural
resources such as minerals, fossil fuels, and water. This can result in
depletion of these resources, making them scarcer and potentially more
expensive.
Example: Overextraction of groundwater for agricultural and domestic use can
lead to the depletion of aquifers.
- Forests and Land: Expansion of agricultural land and urban development
often leads to deforestation and loss of arable land, impacting biodiversity and
ecosystem services.
Example: The Amazon rainforest is being cleared for agriculture, affecting global
climate and local ecosystems.
2. Environmental Degradation:
- Air and Water Pollution: Higher populations can lead to increased waste
and emissions, contributing to air and water pollution. Urban areas may face
challenges with waste management and contamination of water supplies.
Example: Industrial activities and vehicular emissions contribute to smog and
health problems in densely populated cities.
- Climate Change: Increased greenhouse gas emissions from energy
consumption, deforestation, and industrial processes contribute to global
warming and climate change, affecting weather patterns and sea levels.
Example: Rising global temperatures result in more frequent and severe weather
events such as hurricanes and heatwaves.
3. Pressure on Food Systems:
- Agricultural Demand: As the population grows, the demand for food
increases, which can lead to intensified agricultural practices, potentially
exhausting soil nutrients and increasing the use of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides.
Example: Intensive farming can lead to soil degradation and reduced agricultural
sustainability.
4. Infrastructure and Services:
- Urbanization: Rapid population growth often leads to the expansion of urban
areas, placing stress on infrastructure such as transportation, healthcare, and
education systems.
Example: Megacities like Mumbai and Lagos face challenges with overcrowded
public transport and inadequate sanitation facilities.
5. Social and Economic Impacts:
- Inequality: Rapid population growth can exacerbate existing inequalities, with
resource scarcity disproportionately affecting the poorest communities.
Example: In densely populated regions, poor communities may have limited
access to clean water and healthcare services.
UNIT 3: CARRYING CAPACITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY
- It refers to meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs.
THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY
a.) Environmental Sustainability
- Using resources in a way that protects the environment and ensures natural
systems remain healthy.
Example: Implementing renewable energy sources, like wind or solar power,
to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower pollution levels.
b.) Economic Sustainability
- Creating economic practices that support long-term growth without depleting
resources or damaging the environment.
Example: Developing green technologies and businesses that reduce waste
and energy consumption, such as electric vehicles or energy-efficient
appliances.
c.) Social Sustainability
- Ensuring equitable access to resources and improving the well-being of all
people.
Example: Providing education and healthcare services to all communities to
ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to society.
https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/an-introduction-to-population-growth-
84225544/
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/resource-library-carrying-capacity/
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/ecology-ap/population-ecology-ap/
a/mechanisms-of-population-regulation
https://populationeducation.org/what-demographic-transition-model/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/family-planning-contraception
Janine Marie E. Bernales
II - A
