True or False: The exponential population growth of humans results in a greater number of resources that are consumed, which can have many adverse effects that can influence extinction.

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Statement under consideration: 'True or False: The exponential population growth of humans results in a greater number of resources that are consumed, which can have many adverse effects that can influence extinction.'

Option True: This perspective aligns with classic concerns about overshoot and resource depletion. If human populations grow exponentially, demand for food, water, energy, land, and minerals tends to rise rapidly as well, potentially exceeding the rate at which ecosystems can replenish or services can be supplied. Such pressure can lead to habitat loss, pollution, climate change effects, and competition for scarce resources, all of which can elevate extinction risk for various species and stress human systems. The chain might be: more people -> more consumption -> greater environmental impact -> reduced biodiversity and ecosystem resilience -> increased extinction risk. The argument rests on the idea that population size and growth rate directly influence aggregate resource use and environmental degradation, especially in contexts where technology or governance do not fully offset demand.

Option False: This stance would require arguing that exponential population growth does not necessarily lead to increased resource consumption or extinction risk, which is contestable. One could point to factors that decouple population size from resource use, such as efficiency gains, technological innovations, or shifts toward sustainable practices and service-based economies. Additionally, human ingenuity can expand carrying capacity or enable resource substitution, potentially reducing the direct link between population growth and ecological collapse. However, this view risks underestimating scale effects, inequitable consumption, and time lags in environmental responses. It would also need to explain why some populations experience improved outcomes despite growth, or why some ecosystems manage resilience without degradation, which complicates a blanket rejection of the statement.

Key nuance to consider: The statement frames a general trend rather than an absolute rule. Real-world outcomes depend on a mix of factors—economic systems, policy choices, technology, consumption patterns, governance, and ecological context. While exponential growth often intensifies resource demand and environmental stress, there are scenarios where efficiency improvements or conservation measures mitigate some effects. Yet, the core plausibility remains that, without mitigating actions, higher and faster demand from growing populations increases the potential for adverse ecological consequences and extinction pressures.

In summary, option True emphasizes the plausible linkage between rapid population growth, heightened resource use, and the potential for ecological consequences that can contribute to extinction risk, while option False would require evidence of consistent decoupling and mitigation that may not hold across contexts or timescales.

Biol 1106 Rosenzweig Sp2025 CRN's11552 & 11553 Lesson 24 Homework Problems

True or False: The exponential population growth of humans results in a greater number of resources that are consumed, which can have many adverse effects that can influence extinction.

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Biol 1106 Rosenzweig Sp2025 CRN's11552 & 11553 Lesson 24 Homework Problems

True or False: The exponential population growth of humans results in a greater number of resources that are consumed, which can have many adverse effects that can influence extinction.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Logistic population growth is characterized by a __________ growth curve while exponential population growth is characterized by a __________ growth curve. The blanks should be filled, respectively, with

Question at position 1 Current population trends indicate that human population will...go extinct within 20 years.continue to grow exponentially.remain constant to the current population of around 8 billion people.hit a maximum around 10 billion people.

What is the cause of global human population growth over the last 200 years?

Which of the following is NOT one of the main factors responsible for the rapid rise in the human population?

When the birth rate is equal to the average fertility required for each female (egg-producing parent) to produce exactly enough offspring to replace herself and her offspring's sperm-producing parent, and the birth rate is sustained for a generation, then ________.

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The present doubling time for the human population is on the order of: A) years, B) decades, C) centuries, D) millennia, E) is unknown. Choose the letter that represents the best answer.

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