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Malthusian Theory on Overpopulation FRQ
Time Frame Theory was written by Malthus in 1798
The Theory Food growth is linear
What would a farmer have to do to if they wanted to produce 5 units
of wheat?
= 1 unit of
wheat
= 1 acre
Plant one more acre
Time
Amou
nt
The problem: At the time, the amount of
arable land was finite
The Theory
Food growth is linear
Time
Amou
nt
Population growth is exponential
J-Curve(Doubling Time)
Food growth is linear
Time
Amou
nt
Population growth is exponential
The Theory
Population will eventually outpace food
The only way to produce lower birth rates is moral
restraint. Otherwise disease, famine, or war will check
population
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Population has generally grown as
predicted by Malthus
This growth is most pronounced in the Developing
World . . . WHY?
Lack of access to contraceptives and low levels
of education for women
Population has been rising
quicker than predicted by
Malthus due to the diffusion of
medical technology to
developing world
With lowered infant mortality and increasing life expectancy, population has exploded in the
developing world
But fertility rates have not dropped fast enough in these countries
Explosion of population
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Food Supply has
increased, but it has
not kept up with
population increase
In many developing countries, a large percentage of people still practice
subsistence agriculture
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Since subsistence agriculture is inefficient, overall food production is
low in these countries
Many countries are unable to adopt the agricultural innovations that have led to
increased food production
Food Supply has
increased, but it has
not kept up with
population increase
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Desertification and overuse of land is limiting the amount of arable land
available
Farmland is being
converted to urban use
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Over Population is
putting a strain on resources and the
environment
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Population has generally not grown as predicted by Malthus
Due to global increases in development and increased access to contraceptives
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Food Supply has grown faster than
predicted by Malthus
Time
Amou
nt
With improvements in food production food can grow exponentially
Food production as predicted by
Malthus
One example the Green Revolution with
genetically modified crops, multicropping
which increased yields
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Food Supply has grown faster than
predicted by Malthus
Time
Greater efficiencies such as mechanization
and industrial agriculture
Our ability to preserve food and/or distribute food to areas of need is much greater than during Malthus’ time.
This means
more food is
available to more people
globally
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Your Task
What is a FRQ?
In 1798 Thomas Robert Malthus published An Essay on the Principle of Population in which he made many arguments about population growth.
A. Identify and explain TWO reasons why some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory can be used predict future population issues.
B. Identify and explain TWO reasons why some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory cannot be used to predict
future population issues.