Human Case Studies
RAPID POPULATION GROWTH - Niger
The majority of Niger’s population are subsistence farmers. This results in a high birth rate because people look to have large families to increase their economic opportunities. Which coupled with the high infant mortality rate means that many families opt to have more children than they need to ensure that enough survive to work on the land.
The birth rate is also high in Niger due to the cultural beliefs of the Hausa ethnic group, where a large family is viewed as a status symbol. Within the Hausa’s it is acceptable for women to marry at the age of 14, meaning there is a greater chance of them having a large family.
Within Niger there limited access to contraceptives and many of the Hausa women are reluctant to use them as their husbands forbid them, all of which leads to a high birth rate.
The birth rate is also high in Niger due to the cultural beliefs of the Hausa ethnic group, where a large family is viewed as a status symbol. Within the Hausa’s it is acceptable for women to marry at the age of 14, meaning there is a greater chance of them having a large family.
Within Niger there limited access to contraceptives and many of the Hausa women are reluctant to use them as their husbands forbid them, all of which leads to a high birth rate.
RAPID POPULATION GROWTH - KENYA
POPULATION Decline - Russia
Russia has experienced dramatic population decline in recent years. This has occurred due to several reasons:
- Russia experiences a high death rate (males have a life expectancy of 59 years) due to the high number of alcohol related deaths and the fact that over 1 000 000 Russians have AIDS which reduces life expectancy
- They also have a very low birth rate, with a fertility rate of 1.1. per woman. This has happened as a result of the increased levels of education within the country, especially among women. Which in turn has led to women becoming more career driven and therefore less inclined to have large families
- Finally, there is little net migration into Russia. Due to the industrial decline experienced many young people leave Russia to seek employment and a better quality of living elsewhere.
UNDER-POPULATION - AUSTRALIA
Australia is a similar size to the USA, but they differ dramatically in their populations. The USA has a population of over 300 million, whereas Australia's is only 20 million. This means that Australia can be classified as being underpopulated.
Many areas of Australia are empty and their resources are not being used fully. As the map shows the majority of Australia's population is found on along the SE coast. The climate of most of Australia makes it very difficult to live in, so people chose to the live on the coasts where fewer droughts occur.
The Australian government has tried to increase its population, to develop the country economically and to protect it from foreign influence. From only 3.7 million in 1901, the population has increased to its current 20 million.
Many areas of Australia are empty and their resources are not being used fully. As the map shows the majority of Australia's population is found on along the SE coast. The climate of most of Australia makes it very difficult to live in, so people chose to the live on the coasts where fewer droughts occur.
The Australian government has tried to increase its population, to develop the country economically and to protect it from foreign influence. From only 3.7 million in 1901, the population has increased to its current 20 million.
OVER-POPULATION - Nigeria
Nigeria has a rapidly growing population. This is bring with it many problems that Niger is struggling to deal with. Some of these problems include:
- Access to clean water - over 50% of the population lack access to clean, safe drinking water. This results in a high number of deaths due to water borne diseases.
- Malnutrition - Niger is struggling to provide enough food to support its rapidly growing population. This results in a high proportion of child being undernourished, leading to a greater risk of disease and ultimately death.
- Low income levels - the rising population has led to widespread unemployment, meaning that many families now struggle to support themselves so many now turn to crime.
- Land degradation and food shortages - many areas are being deforested to provide space to grow crops to support the growing population.
- Access to services - the growing population has meant that many now lack access to adequate health care and education. The rapidly increasing birth rate has placed primary schools under immense stress, leaving many children without an education.
AGEING POPULATION - The UK
In recent decades the life expectancy of the UK has increased significant. The number of people over the age of 65 has increased by 1.3 million in the last 25 years. The percentage of people over the age of 65 has increased whilst the percentage under the age of 16 has decreased. It is estimated that over 23% of the population will be over 65 by 2035.
This has happened as a result of better access to health care and medical advancements. Which coupled with the declining fertility rate in the UK is resulting in a falling birth rate and death rate.
The UK is facing a number of problems as a result of its increasingly ageing population. These problems include:
This has happened as a result of better access to health care and medical advancements. Which coupled with the declining fertility rate in the UK is resulting in a falling birth rate and death rate.
The UK is facing a number of problems as a result of its increasingly ageing population. These problems include:
- Health and fitness - increase in degenerative diseases, placing the NHS under greater pressure
- Increasing care needs - there will be a greater number of elderly people needing increased levels of care over time
- Pensions - as life expectancy increases the number of people claiming state pensions. They are also collecting them for longer.
- Fewer workers - as the population continues to age the number of workers will continue to decline. Therefore, the government will receive less income tax to spend on services.
- Average wages - these will increase as the number of workers decrease Therefore companies will become less competitive and attract less investment.
- Shortage of workers - could lead to an increase in immigration of people looking to fill these jobs.
HIGH POPULATION DENSITY - Japan
The highest population densities are found in the coastal regions, especially the coastal regions of Honshu Island. The lowest population densities are in the mountainous regions, especially the Japanese Alps Honshu Island.
Honshu Island has an area of high population density around Osaka Bay, which is situated on the south-west coastline of Japan. This is because the coastal location makes it easier and cheaper to import and export goods. Osaka Bay is a natural harbor, which is sheltered from the strong winds and also has many deep water channels, promoting trade. The relief of the land in coastal environments is ideal for industry, such as Panasonic.
The Japanese Alps have a very low population density. The valleys are very narrow, meaning the valley floors are very small, so unsuitable for building on. These areas also experience an extreme climate, due to the high altitudes, making them very difficult to live in.
Honshu Island has an area of high population density around Osaka Bay, which is situated on the south-west coastline of Japan. This is because the coastal location makes it easier and cheaper to import and export goods. Osaka Bay is a natural harbor, which is sheltered from the strong winds and also has many deep water channels, promoting trade. The relief of the land in coastal environments is ideal for industry, such as Panasonic.
The Japanese Alps have a very low population density. The valleys are very narrow, meaning the valley floors are very small, so unsuitable for building on. These areas also experience an extreme climate, due to the high altitudes, making them very difficult to live in.
LOW POPUlation density - Namibia
The Republic of Namibia is a country on the south west coast of Africa. Namibia gained independence in 1990 from South Africa. The GDP of Namibia is US$ 5 200 per capita, with much of its population relying on subsistence agriculture for their income. As such the population density of Namibia is very low, around 2.5km2. Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Much of Namibia is desert, with a hot , dry climate. Rainfall is sparse and erratic and there are prolonged periods of drought.
ANTI-NATAL POLICY - China
After World War II China were keen to increase their population to strengthen their military. They encouraged people to have large families and their population grew rapidly. However, China's resources did not grow at a similar rate, resulting in mass famines. Between 20 and 30 million people died during the 1960s and 1970s. This policy was then viewed by the government at being unsustainable, so they decided to change their approach and introduced an anti-natal policy.
China decided to introduce a strict policy, which would probably not be possible in a non-communist country. They decided that couples were only permitted to have one child and that men must wait till they are 22 to marry. Couples had to gain permission from the government in order to have a child. However, citizens were rewarded for complying with this policy. They would receive free education, free healthcare, housing benefits and a paid job. If they did not follow this policy they would lose all of the benefits, and in some cases women could be given forced abortions and sterilised.
In order to enforce this policy the government relied on the help of the community. Elderly residents were often given the task of monitoring couples within their community to ensure they followed the one child policy. This strict policy led to the enormous problem of female infanticide, as boys are favoured in Chinese culture. This mean than many families would abandon or kill female babies.
There were exceptions to this policy which allowed couple to have a second child. If a family had twins or triplets this would be allowed, or if a child was disabled they would be allowed a second and families in rural areas were allowed a second child.
This policy has been very effective with birth rates falling from 44 to just 12. The population of China is expected to peak in the next two decades and then slowly decline. This has led to the policy being relaxed, including:
However, there are also a few problems:
China decided to introduce a strict policy, which would probably not be possible in a non-communist country. They decided that couples were only permitted to have one child and that men must wait till they are 22 to marry. Couples had to gain permission from the government in order to have a child. However, citizens were rewarded for complying with this policy. They would receive free education, free healthcare, housing benefits and a paid job. If they did not follow this policy they would lose all of the benefits, and in some cases women could be given forced abortions and sterilised.
In order to enforce this policy the government relied on the help of the community. Elderly residents were often given the task of monitoring couples within their community to ensure they followed the one child policy. This strict policy led to the enormous problem of female infanticide, as boys are favoured in Chinese culture. This mean than many families would abandon or kill female babies.
There were exceptions to this policy which allowed couple to have a second child. If a family had twins or triplets this would be allowed, or if a child was disabled they would be allowed a second and families in rural areas were allowed a second child.
This policy has been very effective with birth rates falling from 44 to just 12. The population of China is expected to peak in the next two decades and then slowly decline. This has led to the policy being relaxed, including:
- All of families in females areas can now have two
- Two people who marry from single children families they are allowed two
- Females are better educated about contraception and are free to make their own choices.
However, there are also a few problems:
- China is still overpopulated, there are over 1.3 billion Chinese
- There is a male female imbalance in the population
- People are demanding greater freedom and choice
- China will slowly get an ageing population.
- There are large numbers of abandoned children
PRO-NATAL POLICY - Singapore
Singapore is a developed country in SE Asia, it currently has a population of around 5 million people. The government now believes that Singapore is underpopulated and have implemented a policy to try to increase its population. Singapore currently has the lower total fertility rate in the world, at 1.1. This is well below the replacement level of 2.1, which is causing the government to fear for the future. 36% of the population of Singapore is currently made up of foreign nationals and is likely to increase in the near future.
To overcome current labour shortages the government has been encouraging immigration, but they are also trying to increase birth rates to prevent any future concerns. The government is doing this in a number of ways.
To overcome current labour shortages the government has been encouraging immigration, but they are also trying to increase birth rates to prevent any future concerns. The government is doing this in a number of ways.
- They have increased maternity rates by 50% to 12 weeks and cover the cost of maternity leave for the first four children a couple has.
- They have also increased the amount of child benefits a couple can receive, with some couples receiving $6000 over the first six years.
- They have also tried to encourage people to marry earlier so that they have children earlier. They have done this by setting up a number of government dating organisations.
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION - Poland to the UK
The number of migrants from Poland entering the UK rose dramatically in 2004, reaching 600,000. This was a result of the changes to EU membership in 2004 which saw 8 nations from Eastern Europe join the EU. This allowed citizens of these countries to freely move around the EU and work in other countries. There are several reasons why people chose to move from Poland to the UK and these can be referred to as push and pull factors.
PUSH
POSITIVES
PUSH
- Unemployment in Poland is as high as 40% in some areas
- Young, educated Poles faced increased chances of unemployment
- Average month wages in Poland are much lower than the UK
- UK unemployment is significantly lower than Poland’s and there are shortages in semi-skilled and unskilled labour
- Access to free health care and education
- Monthly wages which are 60% higher than those in Poland
POSITIVES
- Fills labour gaps, doing jobs that Brits do not want
- Many areas have become more culturally diverse, offering a range of ethnic shops, bars and delis
- Increased spending in the local economy
- Government receives a greater amount of taxes, which can be invested in services
- Reduces the dependency ratio within the UK
- Fewer jobs for unskilled UK workers
- Many send money back to Poland in the form of remittances, reducing the amount spent in the local economy
- Anti-immigration issues and racism increases
- Services, such as hospitals, struggle to cope with the increased population
- Schools become oversubscribed and struggle to cope with the language barriers
URBAN SPRAWL - Atlanta
Atlanta is the capital city of Georgia state. During the last 50 years it has experienced massive population growth, growing from 1.4 million in 1970 to 5.4 million in 2012. Between 2000 and 2006 almost 1 million people were added to the population of Atlanta, making it the fastest growing metropolitan city in the USA. The vast majority (2/3) of this increase was a result of immigration, whilst the remaining growth was due to natural increase (births).
This rapid growth has resulted in urban sprawl, which in turn has created a number of problems.
This rapid growth has resulted in urban sprawl, which in turn has created a number of problems.
SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS - Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro has experienced rapid inward migration from the surround rural settlements. This has led to large areas of squatter settlements growing on marginal land. These squatter settlements are called 'favelas' in Brazil.
They have formed on the steep slopes around Rio as competition for land is high throughout the city, meaning that the steep slopes are the only pan available. This land is considered unsafe to build on by many.
Living conditions within squatter settlements are extremely poor, with many people living in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Living conditions are poor for a number of reasons:
However, in recent years some of these squatter settlements have attempted to improve the standards of living. One such squatter settlement is 'The Complex de Alemao' which is located on the steep slopes in the north of the city. In 1995 with the aid of Inter-Americans Development Bank Rio de Janeiro launched the Programa Favela - Bairoo an initiative that aimed to improve the quality of life some of the people living in the favelas.
They have formed on the steep slopes around Rio as competition for land is high throughout the city, meaning that the steep slopes are the only pan available. This land is considered unsafe to build on by many.
Living conditions within squatter settlements are extremely poor, with many people living in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Living conditions are poor for a number of reasons:
- The houses are built out of poor materials, such as corrugated iron. The house are built very close together, resulting in an extremely high density of houses. Due to the limited space many houses are 3 to 4 stories high.
- The people who live in these favelas have very low incomes, often around $100 a month.
- As these settlements are illegal they have no official water services. Instead people access water by tapping into a city water main at the bottom of the steep slopes on which the favelas are located. This means that people have to spend large parts of their day collecting water and due to the wear quality people can contract water borne diseases, meaning infant mortality rates are 50% higher than elsewhere in the Rio state.
- Only 50% of people living in the favelas have access to indoor toilets. Many sewers are open drains which run through the streets, resulting in an outbreak of water borne diseases.
- Many people chose to incinerate their waste. This poses a huge risk as these fires can set fire to the wooden buildings and the smoke can cause a number of respiratory diseases amongst residents.
- Due to the favelas being built upon the steep slopes around the city they are susceptible to mudslides during the tropical rainstorms.
- There are few public services, such as electricity, primary schools, youth centres and health centres available for the residents.
- Due to the high unemployment levels of crime are high throughout the favelas.
However, in recent years some of these squatter settlements have attempted to improve the standards of living. One such squatter settlement is 'The Complex de Alemao' which is located on the steep slopes in the north of the city. In 1995 with the aid of Inter-Americans Development Bank Rio de Janeiro launched the Programa Favela - Bairoo an initiative that aimed to improve the quality of life some of the people living in the favelas.
- 26,000 residents were provided with access to clean water and a basic sewage system. These resulted in a reduction in the number of water borne diseases.
- To improve safety public lighting was provided in the streets.
Physical Case Studies
ECOSYSTEMS - Madagascan Rainforests
ECOSYSTEMS - The Sahel Desert
RIVERS - UK Flooding
2007 was the wettest year for many in the UK and Wales, with the summer being one of the wettest on record. This was due to weather systems (depressions) taking a different route over the UK. Torrential rain throughout June meant that in many places the ground was already saturated, so when record-breaking rain fell on 19-20 July many places suffered from severe flooding.
The Met Office and Environmental Agency did forecast the downpours and issued flood warnings prior to the flooding, however, the amount of rain was greater than expected. Over 2 months worth of rain fell in just 2 hours, which rapidly flowed (surface run-off) into already overflowing rivers.
Several cities in the Avon and Severn Valleys suffered flash floods and by evening much of Evesham, Strafford-upon-Avon, Tewkesbury and Gloucester were underwater. In Gloucester 2000 people had to spend the night in emergency shelters over fears that there homes would be flooding during the night.
This caused congestion on many of the main roads around the region, with 10 000 motorists left stranded for 10 hours on the M5. This gridlock hampered relief efforts as many emergency services were unable to reach the affected areas. This resulted in the greatest deployment of helicopters ad the biggest ever peacetime emergency in the UK.
All of Tewkesbury (75000) were cut off and the nearby water treatments works was forced to close, leaving over 350000 people without clean water or sewerage. Floodwaters also threatened a power-station which would leave 600000 homes without power, but quick thinking by the army meant that an embankment was built protecting the station from the waters.
After three days most of Gloucestershire was still without water, however fresh water was brought in by tankers for people to use. The clean up took several months to complete and cost over £2 billion.
The Met Office and Environmental Agency did forecast the downpours and issued flood warnings prior to the flooding, however, the amount of rain was greater than expected. Over 2 months worth of rain fell in just 2 hours, which rapidly flowed (surface run-off) into already overflowing rivers.
Several cities in the Avon and Severn Valleys suffered flash floods and by evening much of Evesham, Strafford-upon-Avon, Tewkesbury and Gloucester were underwater. In Gloucester 2000 people had to spend the night in emergency shelters over fears that there homes would be flooding during the night.
This caused congestion on many of the main roads around the region, with 10 000 motorists left stranded for 10 hours on the M5. This gridlock hampered relief efforts as many emergency services were unable to reach the affected areas. This resulted in the greatest deployment of helicopters ad the biggest ever peacetime emergency in the UK.
All of Tewkesbury (75000) were cut off and the nearby water treatments works was forced to close, leaving over 350000 people without clean water or sewerage. Floodwaters also threatened a power-station which would leave 600000 homes without power, but quick thinking by the army meant that an embankment was built protecting the station from the waters.
After three days most of Gloucestershire was still without water, however fresh water was brought in by tankers for people to use. The clean up took several months to complete and cost over £2 billion.
RIVERS - Bangladesh Flooding
Flooding is an annual event in Bangladesh due to the monsoon rains. Flooding is seen as a positive as the waters bring essential nutrients to fertilise the soils and bring water in which rice can be grown.
In the summer of 1998 68% of the country was flooded, and in some places flooding lasted for 70 days. This was unprecedented both in terms of magnitude and duration.
The flooding not only destroyed crops and basic infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, but also killed over 1000 people, destroyed 7 million homes leaving 25 million homeless.
In some places the floodwaters were so deep that only treetops could be seen above the floodwater. Many places were left with no clean water as floodwaters polluted wells. This led to an outbreak of dysentery, diarrhoea and cholera. The national airport was left underwater, meaning that the delivery of international aid was almost impossible.
In the summer of 1998 68% of the country was flooded, and in some places flooding lasted for 70 days. This was unprecedented both in terms of magnitude and duration.
The flooding not only destroyed crops and basic infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, but also killed over 1000 people, destroyed 7 million homes leaving 25 million homeless.
In some places the floodwaters were so deep that only treetops could be seen above the floodwater. Many places were left with no clean water as floodwaters polluted wells. This led to an outbreak of dysentery, diarrhoea and cholera. The national airport was left underwater, meaning that the delivery of international aid was almost impossible.
RIVERS AND HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER- Three Gorges Dam, China
The Three Gorges Dam is built on the Yangtze River in China. It is the largest HEP station in the world, it has 34 generators and is capable of generating 22,500MW of electricity. The dam is exceptionally large, measuring 2,335m from one side to the other and is 101m tall. The dam has created a reservoir stretching 660 km upstream. The dam has been designed to still allow shits to pass upstream through a series of locks.
ADVANTAGES
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