Essentials of Ecology

ACADEMIC.CENGAGE.COM/BIOLOGY/MILLER 139

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS

The chart below shows selected population data for two differ-

ent countries A and B.

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1. Calculate the rates of natural increase for the populations
   of Country A and Country B. From the rates of natural
   increase and the data in the table, suggest whether A and
   B are developed or developing countries, and explain the
   reasons for your answers.


2. Describe where each of the two countries may be in terms
   of their stage in the demographic transition (Figure 6-12,
   p. 134). Discuss factors that could hinder Country A from
   progressing to later stages in the demographic transition.
   3. Explain how the percentage of people under 15 years of
   age in Country A and in Country B could affect the per
   capita and total ecological footprints of each country.

Country A Country B

Population (millions) 144 82

Crude birth rate 43 8

Crude death rate 18 10

Infant mortality rate 100 3.8

Total fertility rate 5.9 1.3

Percentage of population under 15 years old 45 14

Percentage of population older than 65 years 3.0 19

Average life expectancy at birth 47 79

Percentage urban 44 75

Source: Data from Population Reference Bureau 2007, World Population Data Sheet.