Biology 12

522 MHR • Unit 5 Population Dynamics

SECTION REVIEW

1. What is the range (smallest to biggest value)
   of estimates of the carrying capacity of Earth for
   humans?


2. Describe four methods that have been used to
   estimate carrying capacity.


3. Give three reasons why it is difficult to obtain
   an accurate estimate of human carrying capacity.


4. (a)How might you determine the carrying
   capacity of a particular region? That is, what
   would you need to measure and record?
   (b)Would the value you determine be permanent,
   or might it change over time?


5. (a)What was the Green Revolution?
   (b)How has it changed food production on the
   planet?


6. In a sense, the introduction of genetically
   modified crops is a continuation of the Green
   Revolution. Do research to discover what advantages
   some of these crops provide and what disadvantages
   may be associated with their use. What problems do
   you think might occur as a result of introducing such
   crops into less developed nations?


7. What is the difference between a source and
   a sink?


8. Do you think some parts of the world are used
   as sources more than sinks, or vice versa? Explain
   your answer and provide examples.


9. Describe what is meant by the term “tragedy of
   the commons,” and give examples.


10. How do the activities of people in the United
    States affect the carrying capacity of Canada? Give
    some specific examples.


11. Do you think the current trend toward
    globalization of industries and businesses will
    increase the carrying capacity of the world or
    decrease it? Might the effect be different in different
    countries or regions? Explain your answers.


12. Where does your community get its water? Are
    limits placed on the amount of water or treated water
    available; that is, does water limit the carrying
    capacity of your community for humans? Design a
    study that allows you to obtain the answers to these
    questions. What information would you need and
    what would you have to calculate?


13. As you have read in this section, humans have
    overused resources in some cases to the extent of
    depleting them. Are there examples of resource
    overuse in Ontario? Do research that allows you to
    describe whether a particular resource of your choice
    (for example, a mineral; a particular species of tree,
    fish, or other animal; a particular species of plant; or
    a group of species) has been overused. Carefully
    record the source(s) of your information. Do you think
    it (they) might be biased in any way? Is there a
    diversity of opinion about whether this resource has
    been overused?


14. (a)Nets like the otter trawl shown here are used
    to catch fish and other organisms living on or
    near the ocean bottom. Dragged behind
    ships, part or all of this equipment disturbs
    the ocean floor. Are there beneficial effects of
    this method of fishing? If so, list them.
    (b)The dragging may scrape organisms (such as
    corals, which live attached to bedrock) off the sea
    floor, thereby killing them. Although this may not
    be an issue in environments that have been
    disturbed for many years by fishing activity, it can
    be detrimental in pristine environments. What
    detrimental effects might this activity have on
    organisms living on the ocean bottom?

If you have already decided on the environmental problem

you will report on for your Unit 5 Issue Analysis, watch

for additional information in the next section that you may

be able to use. Be aware that opinions may vary on the

seriousness and extent of the problem you have selected,

and that you should be prepared to defend your own

position with facts.

UNIT ISSUE PREP

towing warp

ground gear

mud cloud

cod

end

float

otter board

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