Population Density and Ecoregions
Reflection
Reflection
- The regions that were studied in this assignment were located in areas of the world that I have never been able to study before. The spatial patterns and relationships discovered by comparing population density and ecoregions were as I would expect them to be after examining the climate and availability of resources. Population density is directly related to the ecoregions of the world that are more amenable for living conditions. Desert and tundra areas with low water availability have zero to a very small population density.
- Ecoregions have a great influence on population patterns. Humans need access to water for drinking, growing crops and livestock, and hygiene. If water is not readily available and cannot support the population, alternative areas for habitation must be found. Therefore, migration patterns may follow the ecoregions that are suitable for populations. Migration out of desert-type environments with low water availability to environments with water and nutrient-rich soil will be seen. Inhabited ecoregions may also be isolated from one another due to the presence of an uninhabitable ecoregion located between them. The distance between the human populations in various ecoregions can lead to the development of different cultures and different geopolitics.
- Human activity has changed ecoregions over the world. Many areas of the world were once covered by grassland prairies and have been depleted by the growth of human populations and their livestock. Overgrazing has reduced the prairies to desert-like environments and permanently depleted the lands. Forested ecoregions have been reduced as trees have been cut down by humans for building materials. Changing ecoregions around the world also influence climate changes. Water resources have moved over time due to these climate changes that are taking place, forcing more migration. As human populations continue to grow and spread all ecoregions of the world will be affected in one way or another.
Investigating Global Populations and Ecoregions
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How would you describe the pattern of world population density?
The world population density is not evenly distributed. The areas of higher population density are along the coastal regions of the continents, near rivers and other sources of drinking water and near major cities. The lowest population densities are around the desert regions of the world. There are no sources of water in desert areas like the Sahara Desert so the population density is extremely low (close to or at zero).
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Examine the details of the population density layer. Who created this data, and what sources did they use?
The person that created this map was ‘jcalkins_eoe’ and the sources included Map Service by ESRI, national population censuses, the United Nations demographic yearbooks and other sources.
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India-Nepal: What is one reason you can think of for the difference between the population density in northern India compared to that of Nepal?
One reason for the large difference in population density between northern India and Nepal is due to the presence of the Himalayan Mountains. As clouds are forced up and over the mountain range, they drop precipitation on the south side of the mountains. The north side of the mountains would not receive very much precipitation and would be cold and dry.
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Use the Measure tool and determine the distance between the area of highest population density in India compared to the area of lowest population density in Nepal.
The distance from the highest population density area in India to the lowest population density area in Nepal is a straight line distance of 96.2 miles (as the bird flies). This measurement is inaccurate because it doesn't take the mountain heights into consideration. A person traveling on the ground would have to climb and descend the Himalayas to move across the land.
Note the predominant ecoregions in the most densely settled regions of northern India. Also, explore the relationship between population density and major rivers. How do you think the dense settlement here may have an effect on the ecoregions of this area?
The most dominant ecoregions of northern India are ‘forest-paramo and forest-meadow of constantly humid oceanic (and windward-slope) type, eastern oceanic constantly humid forests and savannas, open woodland and shrub with season moisture supply, forest-meadow of constantly humid eastern oceanic type’. The highest population density also follows the Ganges River in northern India. The high population will most likely deplete the land resources and change the ecoregions over time.
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Describe the ecoregion and the population density in the region in which you live using the map. How does the population density compare with your earlier observation where you were asked to reflect upon the population density of your area without the aid of a map?
The Salt Lake area falls in a semi-desert and desert of continental climate. The population density is high in the city to the east and southeast of the Great Salt Lake. There is also a higher population density in the Provo/Orem area around Utah Lake. The suburban areas surrounding the Salt Lake area and the Provo area show a lower population density than the major cities. Previously, I had guessed that the population density was fairly high but I think I underestimated the true population density. My guess of the ecoregion at the beginning of the assignment was close to the true ecoregion shown on the map.
The Salt Lake area falls in a semi-desert and desert of continental climate. The population density is high in the city to the east and southeast of the Great Salt Lake. There is also a higher population density in the Provo/Orem area around Utah Lake. The suburban areas surrounding the Salt Lake area and the Provo area show a lower population density than the major cities. Previously, I had guessed that the population density was fairly high but I think I underestimated the true population density. My guess of the ecoregion at the beginning of the assignment was close to the true ecoregion shown on the map.
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Which statement is correct?
- Countries with a higher growth rate typically have a higher percentage of working age population.
- Countries with a higher growth rate typically have a lower percentage of working age population.
Exploring Population Dynamics
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Why do you suppose the growth rate and percentage of working age population are related in the way that you've indicated here?
The countries with the higher growth rates are countries that have reached Stage 2 of the demographic transition model. The countries in Africa, South America, Asia and Australia have just experienced a medical revolution. Death rates dropped due to medicine and medical technology being available but the living conditions have not yet improved.
What impact do you think a high population growth rate has on a country?
A high population growth rate is going to have a negative effect on a country. Since the percentage of working age population is also known as the dependency ratio, the dependency ratio will show a higher number of people dependent on a smaller and smaller work force. This will place more strain on the working population.
Recall your recent reading about map projections. This map uses the Web Mercator projection. How are the areas near the North and South Pole shown on this map?
Since the map we used is shown in the Web Mercator projection, the North and South Poles are not shown on the map. The map has been taken from a spherical shape and laid in a two dimensional plane so the poles are not visible.
How does the projection that this map is using affect your interpretation of what you are studying?
The projection of the map may affect your interpretation of the data. The distances on the map will be inaccurate because of the projection. Some continent or country sizes may be distorted by the projection.
The countries with the higher growth rates are countries that have reached Stage 2 of the demographic transition model. The countries in Africa, South America, Asia and Australia have just experienced a medical revolution. Death rates dropped due to medicine and medical technology being available but the living conditions have not yet improved.
What impact do you think a high population growth rate has on a country?
A high population growth rate is going to have a negative effect on a country. Since the percentage of working age population is also known as the dependency ratio, the dependency ratio will show a higher number of people dependent on a smaller and smaller work force. This will place more strain on the working population.
Recall your recent reading about map projections. This map uses the Web Mercator projection. How are the areas near the North and South Pole shown on this map?
Since the map we used is shown in the Web Mercator projection, the North and South Poles are not shown on the map. The map has been taken from a spherical shape and laid in a two dimensional plane so the poles are not visible.
How does the projection that this map is using affect your interpretation of what you are studying?
The projection of the map may affect your interpretation of the data. The distances on the map will be inaccurate because of the projection. Some continent or country sizes may be distorted by the projection.
Geodemographics - Tapestries
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Click on the state you live in. What is the predominant tapestry segment for your state?
This Utah is labeled as ‘An Up and Coming Family’ tapestry.
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Zoom in further on a city of interest and note the difference in the tapestry segments at different scales. What is the tapestry segment of your neighborhood or a neighborhood you are interested in?
The neighborhood I live in is considered a ‘Traditional Living’ or ‘Main Stream USA’ tapestry segment.
Would you say that the tapestry segment describes you accurately? Does it describe some of your neighbors? Does the segment description make you laugh, or laugh nervously?
The description of the Main Stream USA tapestry is very general so some of the descriptions do apply and some are not close to being true at all. I think some of the description matches the majority of my neighbors more that it matches our household. I loved the part that says the families in this tapestry type own pet cats because we have four cats.
Tapestry Description for Main Stream USA
The neighborhood I live in is considered a ‘Traditional Living’ or ‘Main Stream USA’ tapestry segment.
Would you say that the tapestry segment describes you accurately? Does it describe some of your neighbors? Does the segment description make you laugh, or laugh nervously?
The description of the Main Stream USA tapestry is very general so some of the descriptions do apply and some are not close to being true at all. I think some of the description matches the majority of my neighbors more that it matches our household. I loved the part that says the families in this tapestry type own pet cats because we have four cats.
Tapestry Description for Main Stream USA
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What influence does the map scale have on the data you are analyzing?
The scale of the map has a large influence on the data in this map. Zooming out two clicks changed the tapestry from Main Stream USA to Upscale Living/Enterprising Professionals, which is not even close to being a true description of my neighborhood.
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Is there anything on the imagery that gives a clue as to the neighborhood's lifestyle? What do the structures and streets tell you about this place?
The buildings do not give much of an indication to the type of tapestry of a region unless you zoom in really close. Some of the homes are bigger in the areas designated as ‘High Society’ or ‘Upscale Avenues’ but that is the only indication to the lifestyle in the area.
![Picture](/uploads/5/5/4/8/5548644/1523312.png?250)
Add other population data of interest to you, such as median income, median age, and median home value. Do these variables help explain the tapestry segment of your chosen neighborhood and surrounding ones?
Adding additional layers does help to illustrate the tapestry layers better. I added the Median Household Income layer and it shows that people grouped in the High Society tapestry correlate with the areas of higher household incomes.