Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
TOPIC
Population and Resources: Concept of Optimum Population,
Overpopulation and Underpopulation,
Population-Resource Region
Prepared By: Dr. Kanhaiya Lal, Assistant Professor, DDE, K.U.K.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
1.1 Introduction
Population is the most important component ofpopulation geography.
Present human species had common ancestor but it isvaried initial physical environment coupled with someshort of luck gave some human group higher pace ofdevelopment than others.
These difference further multiplied with the passage oftime to make different human groups differently able inunderstanding and utilisation of their environment.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
These different abilities with different human group tounderstand and exploit their environment havenecessitated the need to compare human numbers withrespect to local physical environment which owes tosatisfy their needs now and also for the generations tocome.
In this parlance the concept of optimum population,overpopulation or underpopulation and populationresource region come to fore.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
2.1 Objectives
Conceptual understanding of optimum population, overpopulation and underpopulation.
Discussing the problems and prospects associated with them ,if any.
Giving an account of important population resource regions of the world.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
3.1 Understanding the Concept of OptimumPopulation, Overpopulation and Underpopulation
Human has variety of needs and aspirations individuallyand collectively which may change in terms of time andspace and as these are behaviorally perceived by them.
Some of these are basic to his survival and healthydevelopment of his different faculties while others non-basic.
Fulfillment of any of his need and aspiration dependsupon exploitation of some resources which is unevenlydistributed around the world.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Size, distribution and population structure within acountry must be viewed in relation to its natural resourcesand the techniques of production used by its population(Leong and Morgan, 1982).
The concept of optimum population, overpopulationand underpopulation are intimately related with theresource base(concept is highly subjective and vary ashuman acquires more and more knowledge base) and itsexploitation pattern.
Some resources are inherently attached, like air andwater, with humans while others are acquired throughvarious interactions and practices with them.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Thus it is our basic knowledge, whether in inherentform or acquired form, to exploit any physical or biologicalmaterial for the satisfaction of our any need and aspirationmakes something resource and as knowledge baseexpands so our resource base swells up.
Thus resource now may not be a resource in the past andanything not a resource now will may become resource infuture.
As new and new uses of same resource come forward itsimportance multiplies. Further, not only the knowledgebut the place of availability and cost involved in itsexploitation also has the capacity to make a resource moreimportant.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Now each and every resource in this nature is recyclablein some way but some may take unusual very longer timethat practically their stocks are considered as limited.
In these connotations of knowledge base and amount ofsomething available in terms of time and space, it is saidthat a region or also whole earth has only limited resourcesto satisfy our needs.
After resource the second most important considerationin our population and resource consideration is thepopulation themselves.
Each individual and each human group probably havedifferent capability and also attitude to use resources.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
A saint need minimum exploitation of resources while amaterialistic person may aspire for many more times.
Thus ,firstly, the capacity to exploit different resource isimportant; secondly, attitude towards them and finally, itis human numbers since it multiply the human needs.
Further, the structure or composition of population isalso important as it is usually the adult which are activelyinvolved in resource utilisation.
As the proportion of different age and sex groupchanges, the same human number may have markedlychanged pattern of needs aspirations as well as theircapacity to utilise resources.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Further, a large population but technologically poor maynot have that much capacity to bring stress on resourcesthan a small but technically very advance population.
Attitudes is also a matter of concern sincetechnologically advance population may not necessarilyhave a materialistic and selfish outlook of life.
Unfortunately, technically advance world with about aquarter of world population has put much stress on allresources by consuming roughly more than three fourth ofall consumable resources in the world annually leavingbehind three fourth of world population dependent onlyon less than a quarter of resources.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
An important aspect in our consideration is the area ofour interest whether we considering different regionsseparately, different nations separately or whole worldtogether.
Based on our consideration of different space the humannumber; its technological capabilities; its attitude towardsresource exploitation; number, quantity and quality ofphysical as well as biological resources, all changes.
Next important point of consideration in this regard isthe concept of sustainability i.e. at least similaropportunities should always remain with all humangenerations to come as we are enjoying.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
In population-resource relation, we need to consider thecomplex as well as dynamic linkages of capability-opportunity-propensity matrix of different human groupsand their individual members separately, inhabitingpresently and also will inhabit in future in differentregions of the world.
Finally, optimum population is an economic conceptwhich believes in the maximisation of marginal output.
It is the total number of human beings with any givenstate of resource base so that output per man will bemaximum or is regarded as a state of equilibrium betweenpopulation and the resource available with them so thatevery individual should enjoy highest possible life style.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Addition of more and more people will not disturb thisstate of equilibrium as long as new resources are keepadding and per head output keeps its pace.
If resource base will become static and populationincreases considerably or if population will remain nearlystable but somehow our resource base erodes so that ourper head output will fall then equilibrium of population-resource become disturbed.
If an equilibrium stage between population andresource base has been established, then further highermaterial gains are possible through the addition of bettertechnology only.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Now suppose a stage of development in population-resource relationship when technology and resources arethere but due to lack of adequate hands they are not beingefficiently exploited for the betterment of the society. Inthis stage of population development the living standardof the population will be lower than the maximumpotential. This is the stage of underpopulation.
If population continued to expand slowly a time willreach when total output keep increasing but per capitaoutput started diminishing or law of diminishing returnstarted working in the region. The stage of populationexpansion beyond which the law of diminishing returnstarted working or marginal output started decreasing isthe stage of optimum population.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Beyond optimum population, if population furtherexpand then total output may increase but it will havenegative impact on their living standard as less and lessper head resource are available. This is the condition orstage of overpopulation with respect to the resource baseof the region.
Here it must be noted that above all concepts have theconcept of sustainable development as inherent to them.
These concepts can be represented graphically also asgiven in the next slide.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Optimum Population
Overpopulation
Under-population
Total Population
GD
P p
er
Ca
pit
a
Total Population
GD
P p
er
Ca
pit
aP1
P2
P3
Positive slope of curve shows condition of underpopulation;
zero slope shows optimum population and negative slope
shows overpopulation.Source: Modified after Goodall (1987).
As the level of technological sophistication improves from
P1, P2, P3; same population can move to higher growth
trajectories. Source: Modified after Goodall (1987).
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
4.1 Problems of Underpopulation and Overpopulation
Due to variation in distribution of population, theircomposition, technological attainments and resource baseand also a very complex pattern of globlisation, optimumpopulation in relation to resource base are rarely found.
Thus most of regions either suffer fromunderpopulation, like Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Zaire,Asiatic Russia, etc. or overpopulation, like India, China,Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, etc.
Both of these conditions have some characteristicproblems attached to them.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
4.2 Problems of Underpopulation
4.2.1 Distribution of Population
Most of underpopulated regions of the world witnesshighly uneven population distribution in favour of fewlarge urban cities.
As a result of it there exist marked differences inresource exploitation and level of various kinds ofinfrastructure and opportunities in few big urban centersand countryside.
In such region large cities grow at the cost of smallercities and countryside.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Providing all modern facilities in small town andcountryside become a very costly affair where populationare limited and immigration may also not successful inaddressing this problem as most of them like to go to bigcities only.
4.2.2 Lopsided Resources and Industrial Development
In such regions resources are usually not fully utilisedand more attention was given to those resourcedevelopment which gives quick and easy profit.
Thus the state of agriculture is usually neglected inpreference to extraction of minerals where more hands,less profit, slow growth is expected.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Such regions have not only shortage of labour but also ofskilled labour.
Their domestic market is small and export is highlycompetitive and unreliable too.
All these also resulted into poor industrialdevelopment.
4.2.3 Loneliness
Population residing in countryside are few and feelmarginalised as every aspect of development they receiveare filtered by few big cities with a considerable time lagand so they have a sense of perpetual lonliness.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
4.2.4 Difficult Geo-environment
The historical reason why these areas remainunderpopulated will reveal in most of the cases that thegeo-environment of these areas are relatively difficult.
Application of same level of inputs may give hererelatively lower output at least in the beginning.
As capitals with these regions are usually limited sodomestic investment become difficult. Foreign aid andinvestment may have many undesirable conditionalityattached with them.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
4.3 Problems of Overpopulation
4.3.1 High Population Growth
Population with a large base expands very rapidly even ifgrowth rate are low.
Unfortunately most of these overpopulation areas alsohave high growth rate of population.
4.3.2 Poverty and Unemployment
Due to excessive pressure on resource base and oftenlimited development of these resources resulted into lowlevel of employment opportunities.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
So in such areas various forms of unemployment arevery common.
This has resulted into chronic poverty problems in theseregions. This has also resulted into other social problemslike high malnutrition, high child mortality, etc.
4.3.3 Low Capital Formation
Due to low earning and high dependent population insuch areas the rate of capital formation and thereby freshinvestment ,both are usually very low.
It restricts efficient resource utilisation and a viciouscircle of low development established in such areas.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
4.3.4 Policy Related Confusion
In such areas policy related confusion also prevails aswhich production method to adopt, should developmentbe inward oriented or outward oriented, agricultureshould be preferred over industry or not, etc.
Capital intensive production is cost cutting but at thesame time shrink employment opportunity.
Labour intensive industries gives more jobs but cost ofproduction rises and competitiveness of productdecreases.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Due to low purchasing power domestic market haslimited opportunities and export competitiveness requirescutting edge technology.
Their resources are so limited that they always haveconfusion that haw much share should be given toagriculture or industry. As a result they have poor state ofusually both agriculture and industry.
4.3.5 Low Social Overhead Capital formation
Due to limited resource and very high population thestate of most of social overhead capital are poor and as aresult the quality of labour, working environment andentrepreneur, all are usually of substandard level.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
5.1 Population-Resource Regions
A complex relation exists among man, resource base andtechnology.
In this connection whole world can be divided intodifferent population-resource regions which have someadvantages and disadvantages over others.
Ackerman (1970) grouped population-resource regioninto five broad category which has been reproduced herewith certain modifications.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
5.1.1 United States Type or Technology-Source Area of LowPopulation-Potential/Resource Ratio
These areas are the most developed areas of the worldenjoying very high standard of living.
They witness rapid development in last one to twohundred years as they received massive in-migration fromthen technically very advance society. In fact at that timemost of them belong to Brazilian type.
Original inhabitants of these lands were low innumbers, technically very backward and so they gave upquickly against migrants.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
These lands were full of pristine natural resources andthus technological support gave them very high growthand prosperity.
In contrast to their physical resources the populationpressure was very low and so there was always a goodscope for the application of higher and higher technology.
Slowly they mastered in technology and now the areahas so much technology and so many technical personsthat they often export them.
Their prosperity, wealth, technical knowhow, etc. gavethem unprecedented advantage in international arena todeal things in their favour.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
They use resource of not only of their own land but alsoof other regions.
This unfortunate excessive materialistic attitude hasdone much harm to the nature.
Probably they are at the zenith of development usingpresent technological knowhow and the gap betweenthem and the next group is so high that it seems difficultthat any new country will be added to this group in nearfuture, instead it is more possible that some of them mayslip down to lower group.
Examples are: United States of America, Canada,Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and parts of Russia, etc.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
5.1.2 European Type or Technology-Source Area of highPopulation-Potential/Resource Ratio
This is the source area of massive out-migration to newlands which developed into United States type latter.
Here again technology is very advance but highpopulation and limited physical resources has createdhigh population pressure.
High living standard is maintained by constanttechnological upgradation, resource conservation andrecycling ,one of the best output practices along withexport of technology, technical knowhow and export offinished goods.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
So their prosperity relies on a combination of advancetechnology, efficient resource utilization and conservationand on international trade and services.
Examples are: The most of countries of Western,Southern and Eastern Europe and Soviet Central Asianrepublics belongs to this group.
5.1.3 Brazilian Type or Technology-Deficient Area of lowPopulation-Potential/Resource Ratio
This is practically a transition stage were the pressure ofpopulation to physical resources is low and so these areashave high promises.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
They have ample physical resources but theirtechnologies are poor and so their prosperity are average.
If they receive or develop good technology, sufficientsocial overhead capital, etc. then their resourceexploitation efficiency will expand and it will bring themto a trajectory of higher prosperity like of European type.
If only population expand and not technology andquality of population, then such region may slip to theinferior category of China type.
Examples are: Cover most Brazilian plateau, Bolivia,Venezuela, Paraguay, interior Argentina, CentralAmerican Republics, Cuba, north Australian territory, etc.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
5.1.4 China or Egyptian Type or Technology-Deficient Areaof high Population-Potential/Resource Ratio
This is the least promising of all categories.
State of technology is poor and excessive population hascaused very high stress on physical resources.
So, industrialisation is low, agriculture which is themainstay of economy is in dilapidated condition and highpopulation is expanding at higher rate.
Many social evils like poverty, unemployment,malnutrition, illiteracy, etc. are very common.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
Probably rapid population growth is the biggest singleproblem here which if controlled then only this region haschance of moving towards European type of prosperity.
Examples are: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Albania,Greece, Haiti, Guatemala, China, India, Pakistan, SriLanka, Afghanistan, etc.
5.1.5 Arctic-Desert Type or Technology-Deficient Area withfew Food Producing Resources
This is the land of the future with many unexploredresources due to the lack of technological maturity.
Either uninhabited or a very few people reside there.
Directorate
of
Distance
Education(DDE)
Program:P.G.
Subject:Geography
Class:Final
Paper:VIII(vi)
(Pop. Geo.)
Lesson:IX
So technological advancement may invite more humanintervention in these areas of hostile geo-environmentalconditions in future.
Examples are: Covers the Antarctica, northern part ofNorth America and Eurasia, the Amazon basin, the Saharadesert, deserts of Central Australia, Chile, Patagonia, etc.
6.1 Summary
Human knowledge, which makes something resource,in combination with human numbers, their compositionand their attitudes, decide the way resource are createdand exploited. So in the complex population-resourcerelation human is at the centre of the theme.
