AQA A-level Population and the Environment Knowledge Booklet
Introduction
opulation change:
P
The global population is growing exponentially which risks exceeding the planet’s carrying capacity
- hen a population’s carrying capacity is exceeded population decreases
W
- Population growth is inversely proportional to development (As development increases,
the population decreases)
The role of environmental factors:
1. Climate
- Extreme weather
- Argument 1: Extreme weather → hazardous climate → outmigration →
decreased population
- Argument 2: Extreme weather → hazardous climate → decreased
development → increased population since underdeveloped countries have
higher BRs
- Temperature climates (UK)
- High agricultural yields → support stable population growth
2. Soils and Geology
- Water availability
- If there is permafrost, soil water stores will be frozen which will create a
water deficit → this decreases supplies for agriculture → decrease food
resources & income from agriculture → decreased population
- Hard geology/Frozen soil
- Harder to build upon → low city development → decreased population
3. Topography
- Steep relief
- Harder to build upon → low city development → decreased population
- Prone to hazards eg. landslides → reduced development → decreased
population
irth and Death Rates
B
Use the example of Niger, North Africa
Human behaviour:
1. Religion
- Support polygamyIslam supports polygamy so Nigerhas a high birth rate
2. Reliance on children
, - F ood insecurity → Families rely on subsistence farming which requires workersIn
Niger most children help with agriculture
- Many countries don’t have social support → Parents have children that can look after
them in the future
Low resource availability:
1. Limited development → Lack of healthcare → No contraception/abortion
, The Environment and Population
F ood Production and Consumption
Food production and consumption are globally imbalanced
- lobal food production has tripled since 1970 due to modern technology
G
- ⅓ of all food produced is wasted
- Food production is unevenly distributed
- HICs have the largest food supply
- ½ of LICs lack sufficient farmland/weather conditions and technology to be
self-sufficient but can’t afford to import food leading to food insecurity
- Food consumption is proportional to the development
- It has increased globally since the world's developing
gricultural Systems
A
An agricultural system is an open system
● Inputs: things farmers need/use
○ Machinery
○ Soil
○ Cattle
● Processes: Farming processes
○ Milking
○ Crop cutting
○ Ploughing
● Outputs: things farmed/produced
○ Wheat
○ Beef
○ Profits
● Feedbacks
○ Successful harvest → high profit → invested into the business → more profitable
○ Slurry (animal poo) is spread → increases the fertility of land → more crops can grow
for harvest or to feed animals
Types of Farming Systems
Intensive Farming L arge inputs of labour, Hydroponic/Aeroponic farming
technology and capital. Small
scale. High outputs per area
Extensive Farming S mall inputs of labour and Cattle farming
machinery. Large scale with
extensive land. Low output per
area
Introduction
opulation change:
P
The global population is growing exponentially which risks exceeding the planet’s carrying capacity
- hen a population’s carrying capacity is exceeded population decreases
W
- Population growth is inversely proportional to development (As development increases,
the population decreases)
The role of environmental factors:
1. Climate
- Extreme weather
- Argument 1: Extreme weather → hazardous climate → outmigration →
decreased population
- Argument 2: Extreme weather → hazardous climate → decreased
development → increased population since underdeveloped countries have
higher BRs
- Temperature climates (UK)
- High agricultural yields → support stable population growth
2. Soils and Geology
- Water availability
- If there is permafrost, soil water stores will be frozen which will create a
water deficit → this decreases supplies for agriculture → decrease food
resources & income from agriculture → decreased population
- Hard geology/Frozen soil
- Harder to build upon → low city development → decreased population
3. Topography
- Steep relief
- Harder to build upon → low city development → decreased population
- Prone to hazards eg. landslides → reduced development → decreased
population
irth and Death Rates
B
Use the example of Niger, North Africa
Human behaviour:
1. Religion
- Support polygamyIslam supports polygamy so Nigerhas a high birth rate
2. Reliance on children
, - F ood insecurity → Families rely on subsistence farming which requires workersIn
Niger most children help with agriculture
- Many countries don’t have social support → Parents have children that can look after
them in the future
Low resource availability:
1. Limited development → Lack of healthcare → No contraception/abortion
, The Environment and Population
F ood Production and Consumption
Food production and consumption are globally imbalanced
- lobal food production has tripled since 1970 due to modern technology
G
- ⅓ of all food produced is wasted
- Food production is unevenly distributed
- HICs have the largest food supply
- ½ of LICs lack sufficient farmland/weather conditions and technology to be
self-sufficient but can’t afford to import food leading to food insecurity
- Food consumption is proportional to the development
- It has increased globally since the world's developing
gricultural Systems
A
An agricultural system is an open system
● Inputs: things farmers need/use
○ Machinery
○ Soil
○ Cattle
● Processes: Farming processes
○ Milking
○ Crop cutting
○ Ploughing
● Outputs: things farmed/produced
○ Wheat
○ Beef
○ Profits
● Feedbacks
○ Successful harvest → high profit → invested into the business → more profitable
○ Slurry (animal poo) is spread → increases the fertility of land → more crops can grow
for harvest or to feed animals
Types of Farming Systems
Intensive Farming L arge inputs of labour, Hydroponic/Aeroponic farming
technology and capital. Small
scale. High outputs per area
Extensive Farming S mall inputs of labour and Cattle farming
machinery. Large scale with
extensive land. Low output per
area
