Models of natural population change and their application in contrasting physical and human settings
Several models predict how and why populations grow or shrink over time. Geographers test these models against real places to see how well they explain different situations.
Real World
Japan provides a clear counter-example to Malthus: despite a dense population, agricultural technology and food imports have prevented mass starvation, while a total fertility rate of 1.2 (below replacement) now drives population decline rather than exponential growth.
Exam Focus
When applying models to contrasting settings, explicitly state where the model works, where it breaks down, and why — this evaluative structure targets AO2 marks.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
How well did you know this?