- https://www.avensonline.org/wp-content/uploads/JES-2471-4879-03-0017.pdf
- Define carrying capacity.
- Mention how carrying capacity is violated through modern development practices.
- Highlight how it can be balanced with development needs and how that protects ecology.
Answer:
The Earth is currently experiencing a 6th mass extinction age primarily caused by anthropogenic factors. Earth Overshoot Day shows how humans are consuming much more resources than what Earth can regenerate in a year. It shows humans may be going beyond the carrying capacity of Earth as an ecosystem.
What is Carrying Capacity?
Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustainably support without degrading the ecosystem. Deaths and long term damage to an ecosystem occurs when a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its ecosystem.
Disease, competition, predator-prey interaction, resource use and the number of populations in an ecosystem all affect carrying capacity.
Carrying Capacity and Sustainable Development
Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report,1987 defines Sustainable Development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This idea presupposes development within the confines of carrying capacity of ecosystems.
Why understanding Carrying Capacity is vital for Planning
-
- Economic Planning: Through careful analysis of resource availability and requirements of economy appropriate strategies can be developed for optimal use of resources while minimising adverse ecological impacts.
- Population Control: based on the carrying capacity of a region. For example, fertile Gangetic plains can support a higher population but the same population growth is unsustainable in the Himalayan region. Thus population policy has to be tweaked accordingly.
- Biodiversity Conservation: National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries need a balance between animal population and prey base/ resources available. Animal population beyond the carrying capacity of forests leads to man-animal conflicts.
- Agriculture Management: agriculture practices must reflect the carrying capacity of the soil water-scarce regions growing water-intensive crops is a recipe for ecological disaster.
- Urban Planning: Every urban area must provide some basic urban amenities. Growth of population beyond carrying capacity of Urban services leads to development of slums, pollution, inadequate waste and sewage disposal, etc. It diminishes the living standards in urban areas and has long term health impacts on inhabitants.
- Food security: Today we have more population that our food resources human feed adequately. We have already passed our carrying capacity, but if it continues further, we are in danger of widespread food shortage.
What needs to be done
- Urban planning should include a study on carrying capacity of the city and adjoining region.
- Awareness creation among people to reduce wastage(to avert crisis due to carrying capacity)
- Protection of natural forests (which have high carrying capacity)
Exponential growth of world population today would eventually bring equilibrium between the resources and population as shown in Limits to Growth model. Planners need to start development with carrying capacity at the foundation of future growth model to ensure quality of life for future generations
please review…
payment id:MOJO9a29300A6177473
Sustainable development, which entails the maximum use of resources without damaging the system’s regenerative capacity, has a definite role to play in future policy planning. Sustainability requires managing all households — individual, community, national, and global — in ways that ensure that our economy and society can continue to exist without destroying the natural environment on which we all depend.
Population Control
Economic Planning
Agriculture Management
Under-used capacity of Food Production & Biodiversity
Resource Management
These are the dimensions that you need to explore in this question. The discussion in the main body lacks the required depth in the answer. Though the direction is right. But right now the points are too general.
Relate the given dimensions with sustainable development. While discussing the vitality of sustainable planning and development focus on resources to be used since it is about carrying capacity.
For example: When talking about Pollution-Air/Water, give facts and reports where overuse or improper management has worsen the situation. Like in Delhi Air Pollution. Similarly for other aspects.
Also do give proper way forwards, in the end, rather than passing them off as a conclusion.
Read the link given to get a better idea of the issue.
MOJO9a02U00D28381180
The understanding of the question is ok and the direction of the content is good but the main body of the answer misses to the point discussion. Right now the points are too general.
Population Control
Economic Planning
Agriculture Management
Under-used capacity of Food Production & Biodiversity
Resource Management
Relate the given dimensions with sustainable development. While discussing the vitality of sustainable planning and development focus on resources to be used since it is about carrying capacity.
The way forward also need to be better and it has to be suited to the demand of the question. The punishment and reward system is not ideal as a way forward. You have to discuss the way forward in terms of urban management planning.
Read the model answer for the answer.
Payment ID:MOJO9b01O00A90839766
Please review
Perfect intro.
Good definition of the carrying capacity of an ecosystem.
Fine use of the graph.
The discussion in the main body is very good.
The dimensions covered in that portion are detailed and well explained.
The depth and width of the content there is satisfactory and according to the demand of the question.
But you have to give more way forward regarding what needs to be done in order to maintain the carrying capacity of the ecosystem while planning and making policies.
The language of the answer is very good and your explanations, like in most of the answers, are fine.
Good concluding paragraph
Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. (15 Marks)
The carrying capacity of an ecosystem refers to the maximum population size of a particular species that can be supported by the available resources and environmental conditions in a given ecosystem without causing long-term damage to the ecosystem’s natural processes and functions. It is the capacity of an ecosystem to sustainably support a particular species or a group of species.
Understanding the concept of carrying capacity is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. This is because human activities can have a significant impact on the carrying capacity of an ecosystem, and the sustainability of human activities and development in a region depend on the ecosystem’s carrying capacity. For example, the excessive use of natural resources like water, land, and forests beyond the carrying capacity of an ecosystem can lead to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and ecosystem collapse.
Therefore, while planning for sustainable development of a region, it is crucial to consider the carrying capacity of the ecosystem and ensure that the human activities and development in the region are within the limits of the ecosystem’s carrying capacity. This can be achieved by adopting a holistic and integrated approach that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations and promotes sustainable use of natural resources.
For instance, in a region with limited water resources, sustainable development planning should ensure that water use is within the carrying capacity of the ecosystem by promoting efficient water use practices, investing in water conservation measures, and promoting the use of alternative water sources like rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling.
Similarly, sustainable development planning for a region with limited land resources should ensure that land use is within the carrying capacity of the ecosystem by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, protecting forests and natural habitats, and promoting urban planning that minimizes land use and promotes compact, walkable, and transit-oriented development.
In conclusion, the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region as it provides a framework for understanding the limits of the natural resources and environmental conditions that support human activities and development. By considering the carrying capacity of the ecosystem, sustainable development planning can ensure that human activities and development are within the limits of the ecosystem’s capacity and promote the long-term sustainability of the region’s economy, society, and environment.