8.1 Human Population Dynamics

Significant Ideas

• A variety of models and indicators are employed to quantify human population dynamics.

• Human population growth rates are impacted by a complex range of changing factors.

Knowledge & Understanding

1. Demographic tools for quantifying human population include crude birth rate (CBR), crude death rate (CDR), total fertility rate (TFR), doubling time (DT) and natural increase rate (NIR).

2. Global human population has followed a rapid growth curve, but there is uncertainty as to how this may be changing.

3. As the human population grows, increased stress is placed on all of the Earth’s systems.

4. Age–gender pyramids and demographic transition models (DTM) can be useful in the prediction of human population growth. The DTM is a model that shows how a population transitions from a pre-industrial stage with high CBRs and CDRs to an economically advanced stage with low or declining CBRs and low CDRs.

5. Influences on human population dynamics include cultural, historical, religious, social, political and economic factors.

6. National and international development policies may also have an impact on human population dynamics.

Applications & Skills

1. Calculate values of CBR, CDR, TFR, DT and NIR.

2. Explain the relative values of CBR, CDR, TFR, DT and NIR.

3. Analyse age–gender pyramids and diagrams showing demographic transition models.

4. Discuss the use of models in predicting the growth of human populations.

5. Explain the nature and implications of growth in human populations.

6. Analyse the impact that national and international development policies can have on human population dynamics and growth.

7. Discuss the cultural, historical, religious, social, political and economic factors that influence human population dynamics.

Guidance

1. A variety of predictive models could be included, such as computer simulations, statistical and/or demographic tables for LEDCs and MEDCs, age–gender pyramids, and graphical extrapolation of population curves.

2. Development policies may increase or decrease population growth.

   • CBRs and growth rates are reduced through educating of women for greater independence (economic and reproductive), stimulation of economic growth to improve economic welfare and give greater economic independence, mechanization of the agricultural sector and subsequent urbanization.

   • Growth rates may increase if CDRs fall as a result of improved public health, sanitation, and service infrastructure.

Key Vocabulary

• Population dynamics

  • Crude birth rate

  • Crude death rate

  • Total fertility rate

  • Doubling time

  • Natural increase rate

• Exponential growth

• Age-sex pyramid

• Demographic transition model

• Development policy

Textbook Reading and/or Activities

• Pages 83-95

  • Exercises (p.91-93)

  • Exercises (p.95)

Notes

Mr.Mac's House Notes

A set of notes, created by Mr.Mac, examining K&U 1 - 6 and A&S 1 - 7.

i-Biology Study Questions (Not available)

A series of questions, created by Stephen Taylor, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.

Learning Activities

Population Growth Calculations

This activity, modified from an unknown online source, will help you practice calculating cbr, cdr, NIR, population growth and doubling time (KU1 and AS1-AS2).

Constructing Population Pyramids (Numbers) or (Excel)

This activity, modified from mrmasters.net, will help you learn how to produce a population pyramid using your computers.

Interpreting Population Pyramids

This activity will provide you with an opportunity to examine and interpret different types of population pyramids using real-world data.

Supplemental Reading