Environmental Science: A Global Concern   5/e   Cunningham/Saigo
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Chapter 7: Human Populations


Chapter Key Terms

Chapter 7: Human Populations

birth control  

 

Any method used to reduce births, including celibacy, delayed marriage, contraception; devices or medication that prevent implantation of fertilized zygotes, and induced abortions.

crude birthrate  

 

The number of births in a year divided by the midyear population.

crude death rate  

 

The number of deaths per thousand persons in a given year; also called crude mortality rate.

demographic transition  

 

A pattern of falling death rates and birthrates in response to improved living conditions; could be reversed in deteriorating conditions.

demography  

 

Vital statistics about people: births, marriages, deaths, etc.; the statistical study of human populations relating to growth rate, age structure, geographic distribution, etc., and their effects on social, economic, and environmental conditions.

dependency ratio  

 

The number of nonworking members compared to working members for a given population.

family planning  

 

Controlling reproduction; planning the timing of birth and having as many babies as are wanted and can be supported.

life expectancy  

 

The average age that a newborn infant can expect to attain in a particular time and place.

natural increase  

 

Crude death rate subtracted from crude birthrate.

neo-Malthusian  

 

A belief that the world is characterized by scarcity and competition in which too many people fight for too few resources. Named for Thomas Malthus, who predicted a dismal cycle of misery, vice, and starvation as a result of human overpopulation.

pronatalist pressures  

 

Influences that encourage people to have children.

social justice  

 

Equitable access to resources and the benefits derived from them; a system that recognizes inalienable rights and adheres to what is fair, honest, and moral.

total fertility rate  

 

The number of children born to an average woman in a population during her entire reproductive life.

total growth rate  

 

The net rate of population growth resulting from births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.

zero population growth (ZPG)  

 

The number of births at which people are just replacing themselves; also called the replacement level of fertility.

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