Explain human population growth in terms of carrying capacity. How does this differ from organisms that exist in natural ecosystems? Explain how population growth for human populations is a problem

What will be an ideal response?


Organisms in ecosystems are limited by carrying capacity, which is the maximum population size that a given environment can sustain. Some believe that the idea of carrying capacity does not apply to the human world because humans are not passive with respect to their environment. Human beings can create resources to meet their needs. Environmental scientists point out that many resources and ecosystem services are irreplaceable when depleted. The problem with unlimited human population growth is that higher population sizes will decrease the quality of life as resources, social systems, and the natural environment are stressed beyond their limits, especially since humans are so mobile and prefer certain types of environments such as proximity to water supplies and to coastal areas.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Which of the following terms refers to the horizontal transport of any atmospheric property by the wind?

A. radiation B. advection C. redistribution D. conduction

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Based on the U.S. and European experience, as countries become more developed,

A. services replace manufacturing as the largest proportion of GNI. B. manufacturing replaces services as the largest proportion of GNI. C. agricultural output increases as a proportion of total GNI. D. retail and wholesale trade decreases.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which of the following contributes to the tertiary structure of proteins?

A) the sequence of amino acids B) hydrogen bonding within the backbone C) hydrogen bonding between the side chains D) the interaction of protein subunits

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Devonian mass extinctions are explained by the demise of tropical climates during global

cooling events Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences