Natural Resources& Carrying Capacity

Types of Natural ResourcesRenewable

can be regenerated in a lifetime

What are some examples?

Types of Natural ResourcesNonrenewable

cannot be regenerated in our lifetime.

takes millions of years to create

What are some examples?

Carrying Capacity

Factors that can change C.C.

•LOCATION

•GLOBAL CHANGES

•TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY USED TO EXTRACT AND PROCESS THE RESOURCES

Progression of Population Growth in Relation to Carrying CapacityExponential Population Growth:

1. Growth starts out slowly, enters a rapid growth phase and then levels off when the carrying capacity for that species has been reached

2. The size of the population then fluctuates slightly above or below the carrying capacity.

3. Reproductive lag time may cause the population to overshoot the carrying capacity temporarily. Reproductive lag time is the time required for the birth rate to decline and the death rate to increase in response to resource limits.

4. In this scenario, the population will suffer a crash or dieback to a lower level near the carrying capacity unless a large number of individuals can emigrate to an area with more favorable conditions.

An area's carrying capacity is not static. The carrying capacity may be lowered by resource destruction and degradation during an overshoot period or extended through technological and social changes.

Why the decline in C.C. after an overshoot?

Relationship Between Population and C.C.

What is happening below?Which one do you think we are heading towards or already at?