How does population growth relate to these concepts?

 OPTIMUM POPULATION: The level of population which, through production of goods and services, provides the highest average standard of living.  OVERPOPULATION: When there are too many people in an area relative to the resources and the level of technology available.  UNDERPOPULATION: When there are too few people in an area to use the resources available efficiently.  CARRYING CAPACITY: The largest population that a particular area/environment can support.  EXCESS CAPACITY: When carrying capacity exceeds population number (per unit area).  POPULATION PRESSURE: When population per unit area exceeds the carrying capacity.

OPTIMUM POPULATION Optimum population = the size of population which permits the full use of the natural resources of an area giving maximum per capita output and standard of living Underpopulation – the population is too small to develop its resources effectively Overpopulation – an increase in population or decrease in natural resources which leads to a decrease in standards of living for the population as a whole. Optimum population is THEORETICAL

Bangladesh has a high population density of 1,123 per square km (2008) and a population growth rate of 2.02%. The GNP of $599 is extremely low. 33% of the population are under 14 years of age. There is a high incidence of natural disasters – particularly flooding. Most of the population are farmers. There is a shortage of industry, services and natural resources. The low level of literacy has led to limited internal innovation and a lack of capital has meant that the country cannot afford to buy technology from abroad. What do you think?

The Netherlands has a population density of 395 per square kilometre. There are large, densely populated areas in the Netherlands and it is not well endowed with natural resources. However, it has been able to use technology to produce high- quality agricultural products for export to generate income. What do you think the standard of living is like in the Netherlands compared to Bangladesh? Is The Netherlands Overpopulated?

Canada’s population density is low – 3.67 per sq km (2008). Population growth rate is 0.83%. The GNP in 2008 was extremely high at $32,546. Approximately 18% of the population is aged under 15. There are few natural disasters. Canada has developed industries, services and many natural resources. Few people are farmers or live in rural areas. High levels of literacy and wealth allow the development and import of modern technology. Theoretically, Canada could double its population and still maintain its high standard of living. What do you think?

Confused with HIGH DENSITY. Only meaningful when applied to societies that depend on local resources. Difficult to apply the concept of overpopulation to urban societies.

Problems caused by overpopulation SocialEconomicEnvironmentalPolitical

MALTHUSBOSERUP Too simplistic – a shortage of food is just one possible explanation for starvation, disease and war. Theory does not take migration into account. Because communities are not ‘closed’ when over-population occurs people often leave. Malthus theory is based on the assumption of a ‘closed’ community. However, except at a global scale the world’s population is not closed and so does not enjoy a fair and even distribution of food supplies. Certain types of fragile environment cannot support excessive numbers of people. In such cases, population pressure does not always lead to technological innovation and development. Malthus could not have foreseen the advances in farming technology, resource substitution or sustainable development. Over-population can lead to unsuitable farming practices which may degrade the land, e.g. Desertification. Rather than starvation, food surpluses exist and agricultural production increases. Assumes that populations have access to technological change. Due to migration it is possible that the degree of population pressure required to lead to technological innovation will not be reached. Neither Malthus or Boserup take into account the role of national policies (civil war), agribusiness, crop development on irrigated land and uneven land distribution.

Use the information from the handouts to complete the following tasks: 1. Comment on the trend of natural population increase since the family planning programme was introduced (Figs 5.8 and 5.9) 2.Work in small groups. a)Using the Mauritius scheme, design a programme to reduce birth rates in another developing country which has a high population increase. b)Describe what prior research you would do, and how you would implement your programme. c)Get another group to evaluate your work and make modifications to improve the programme. 3.Compare the experiences of Mauritius with the theories of Malthus and Boserup. To which theory is Mauritius closer? 4.A poor country’s fragile economy cannot keep up with population growth, so people will just get poorer and poorer. Use evidence from Mauritius to comment on this view of development, stating whether or not you agree with it.

Outline a geographical issue indicated and suggest appropriate strategies for its management. (10 marks)