Human population ecology

Solution Preview

Human Population Ecology
Considering what you know from reading the information in Chapter 13, is our population a concern? If so, how? Make sure you support your answer. You may include examples of areas of the U.S. that are overpopulated, underpopulated, etc. include citation and references

The human population, overall is a great concern. In the past month, the World's population has reached 7 Billion. In 1999, there were 6 billion people inhabiting the Earth. In 1960, the Earth's human population was 3 billion. So, between 1960 and 1999, the Earth's human population has doubled, and although human population growth may be slowing in industrialized nations, such as the United States, growth is still accelerating exponentially in other regions, particularly in developing nations in Africa and other regions. The World's population is growing at about 1.3%, which in the coming year translates to a growth of 91 million people. (1998, United Nations. World Population Prospects).
What keeps animal population growth in check in the "real world?" There are a number of things that do. Humans, though have removed some important checks and balances that affect most other organismal populations. The first that we have largely removed from human-populated areas are our predators. Humans do not like animals who can harm or kill them living where they live. In the U.S., large predators such as mountain lions and wolves have been eradicated from most areas populated by humans.
The next major areas that we have altered have greatly reduced our mortality and extended our lives. With continual medical and scientific advances, we have reduced or eliminated the mortality due to diseases, both infectious and metabolic diseases. Vaccinations have virtually eliminated death due to smallpox and other ...