Core Concepts in Ecology, Resources, and Human Geography

Foundations of Ecology and the Environment

Ecosystems and Biotic Factors

• Ecosystem Definition: The collection of living beings in a particular place and the relationships that exist between them and their environment.
• Ecosystem Confirmation: Yes, because animals live there and interact.
• Biotic and Abiotic Components:
  • Abiotic Factors: Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere.
  • Biotic Factors: Animals, Plants, Soil.
• Biocenosis: A collection of communities constitutes a biocenosis.
• The Biosphere: A functional unit formed by living matter on Earth and the space where environmental conditions support life.

Landscape and Contamination

• Components of a Landscape: Relief, Climate, Vegetation, and Hydrography.
• Water and Soil Contamination: Water can be contaminated by throwing waste into surface water or indirectly by disposing of materials in the soil.

Natural Resources and Energy Sources

Resource Classification

• Natural Resources: Goods provided by nature to meet human needs.
• Renewable Resources: Those that form or regenerate in a short space of time.
• Examples of Renewable Resources: Wind (eolic), Solar, Tidal, Animals, Soil, Plants, and Biomass.
• Non-Renewable Resources: Those that are finite and produced in limited quantities.
• Examples of Non-Renewable Energy: Nuclear, Oil, and Coal.
• Fossil Fuels: Petroleum, Coal, and Natural Gas.

Characteristics of Energy Sources

Different energy sources present various trade-offs regarding production, cost, and environmental impact:

• High energy yield but high pollution.
• We can produce a large amount of material, but this often leads to land exploitation.
• It is cheaper but finite/limited.
• High energy output but significant pollution.

Natural Disasters and Global Response

• Natural Disaster: An event caused by natural phenomena resulting in death or injury.
• Socioeconomic Impact: Rich countries handle disasters better because they have more money to invest in infrastructure.
• Prevention: Natural phenomena cannot be prevented because we live on a dynamic planet.

Demographics and Population Study

Defining Population and Territory

• Demographics: The study of population, forming part of human geography.
• Population: The total number of people living in a territory.
• Territory: An area defined by specific characteristics.

Population Metrics

• Population Size: The number of people in a territory.
• Population Structure: Defined by age, gender, labor status, and economic sector.
• Population Density: The ratio between the population and the area of the region.
• Population Distribution: How the population is located or spread out in an area.

Population Dynamics

• Natural Dynamics: Calculated as the birth rate minus the death rate.
• Birth Rate: The number of live births within one year.
• Mortality Rate: The number of people who die within one year.

Migration

• Migration (General): The movement of people within or out of a territory.
• Emigration: People leaving the country or area.
• Immigration: People arriving in an area.

Density Extremes

• Demographic Vacuum: Areas with very low density (e.g., less than 10 persons per km²).
• Demographic Focus: Areas with very high density (e.g., more than 300 people per km²).

Labor Force and Economic Sectors

Labor Force Definitions

• Workforce (Active Population): A person who is in the job market or is willing to work.
• Passive Population: Individuals who are unable or unwilling to work (e.g., due to sickness or age).
• Active Population: The population that is currently working or seeking work.
• Unemployed: Individuals who are actively seeking employment.

Economic Sectors

• Primary Sector: People working the land (e.g., agriculture, extraction).
• Secondary Sector: Transforms raw materials into finished goods (manufacturing).
• Tertiary Sector: The services sector.