What are some lines of evidence that indicate that the human population has exceeded Earth's carrying capacity
2007-08-06 12:29:09 · 7 answers · asked by parth p 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Clearly not, since the population is still growing.
By definition, if we had reached the carrying capacity, the population could not increase beyond its current value. Any increase in birth rate would have to be matched by the death rate, so there was no net change in population.
2007-08-06 12:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't think that the logistic model of population growth - from which the concept of a carrying capacity arises - is a good model for human populations. Humans are unique among animals for their tremendous ability to modify their environment. Modern humans have modified Earth to increase its human carrying capacity. However, these modifications are not all sustainable indefinitely. Carrying capacity for humans therefore comes with a time scale. We are currently supporting almost 6.8 billion people, but can we continue to do so for, say, 200 years? I doubt it: inevitable shortages in the resources that we use to maintain this population - notably petroleum and phosphate minerals - will drive the population down. With larger populations, the problems become more acute: resources will be depleted faster, and the population will not be supported for as long a time. So the question is really not just "how many," but also "for how long." With current population levels, I think this time is probably a century at the very most.
2016-05-20 01:01:33 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans ADAPT, so biological "carrying capacity" does not apply to us. Go ahead and multiply, grow and spread worldwide. Have big families so more and more people can experience life.
Humans should reproduce at the full life force of fecundity, even if communities or the entire planet gets crowded.
As a pro-lifer, I strongly favor a greater spread of human life, and a much stronger natural flow of babies into the world, so that more and more people can experience life.
2014-05-19 20:21:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably very close to it, If there is climate change then yes, way to many people
2007-08-06 12:38:03 · answer #4 · answered by parshooter 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. The issues are the distribution of wealth and resources.
2007-08-06 12:34:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
No i don't think this is possible. Gravity will always hold us in place.
2007-08-06 13:15:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Not yet.
2007-08-06 12:36:11 · answer #7 · answered by producer_vortex 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋