Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept of Geography. / Bibliography: leaves 163-166.

Thesis.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1964. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 429-436).

Thesis (M.A.) in Mathematics--University of Maine, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-59).

Eight contemporary population growth (PG) thinkers serve as a representative sampling of the cross-section of current PG ideas. Using the philosophical models of problems provided by Laudan (1977) and Nickles (1978, 1980a, 1981), these eight PG spokespersons are shown to have different conceptions of what a "problem" is. Such differences are shown to have significant impact in ordering the present PG debate. In particular, these differences are a source of incommensurability and/or disagreement among the thinkers. They are also entail that alternative senses of the "real problems" are being considered. The final chapter recommends a framework which will improve PG discourse as it presently stands. Emphasis is placed on interaction of the spokespersons, integration of other literatures (in particular, ecological economics and feminist scholarship), and delivery of argument. / Master of Science

Understanding whether groups of individuals represent a single panmictic gene pool, or multiple genetically structured populations across a species range should aid in predicting whether specific conservation strategies would be more or less effective for species preservation. Further, contrasting the population structures of multiple coexisting taxa could foster an even deeper understanding of evolutionary divergence among demes and potentially even suggest local adaptation in the form of tight coevolutionary relationships. Finally, the analysis of population dynamics within small and isolated populations could improve our understanding of the relative importance that different evolutionary mechanisms have in predicting population persistence in the wild. Using microsatellite markers I characterized the population genetic structure in the critically endangered Cyclura cychlura cychlura iguanas on Andros Island. I found significant differences between inferred and realized rates of gene flow. This finding demonstrates that evolutionarily independent populations can occur even with high rates of dispersal. In the second and third study I contrasted patterns of genetic variability in Cyclura cychlura cychlura iguanas, ticks in the genus Amblyomma parasitizing these iguanas, and Rickettsia spp., potential pathogens transmitted by these ticks. I determined that genetic differences among Rickettsia samples and Amblyomma samples are highly concordant with genetic divergence among iguana populations. This finding suggests largely vertical dispersal of ticks and their super-parasite, a high specificity of this reptile-tick interaction, and historically low rates of dispersal in iguanas. This finding also indicates that island populations of iguanas may be locally adapted due to tight coevolutionary relationships. Finally, I investigated the mechanisms that eliminate harmful mutations in small isolated and natural populations of the critically endangered Cyclura cychlura cychlura iguanas. Using molecular tools I found indirect evidence suggesting that small natural populations can maintain significant levels of genetic variation in spite of strong selection acting against harmful mutations. Under regimes of random mating, the buildup of harmful mutations in small populations may result in a large number of inviable young. However, harmful mutations may also be eliminated when exposed to natural selection through increased competition, as population density increases. However, quantification of the relative role of competition was not feasible in this study.

No description available.

With the world population now at 6 billion, the topic of overpopulation is becoming increasingly important. The planet cannot absorb an infinite number of humans, and steps need to be taken to combat unchecked growth. The thesis begins with a discussion of the problems currently manifesting themselves, including land degradation, water supply loss, farmland appropriation for living space, overfishing, and unequal food distribution. The thesis considers the population policy of China, long criticized by the West for its unusual harshness. In studying its history, though, it can be seen why the Chinese government felt radical steps were necessary. India's policy over the last few decades is also examined. In this case, early excesses on the government's part led to public unpopularity for the whole population control concept. Despite this, positive steps have been taken in several areas. The current availability of food and farmland in both states is studied to determine what environmental and nutritional effects the respective population policies have had. Comparisons are made between the two in an effort to gauge their relative success and to attempt to draw any lessons for either China or India.

Ce mémoire analyse une existence éventuelle d'une relation de long terme entre le dioxyde de carbone et la croissance de la population. Pour ce faire, on s'est intéressé à 81 pays répartis en quatre groupes selon leur niveau de produit intérieur brut par tête sur une période allant de 1980 à 2010. À l'aide du modèle STIRPAT (Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology), on trouve qu'il existe une relation de long terme entre l'émission de dioxyde de carbone et la croissance de la population pour l'ensemble des quatre groupes de pays étudiés. Toutefois, l'amplitude de cette relation caractérisée par l'élasticité de long terme dioxyde de carbone-population varie d'un groupe de pays à un autre. Pour les pays à revenu faible, elle est de 1.3; ce qui signifie que l'accroissement de 1% de leur population entraine une augmentation de 1.3% de leur taux d'émission de CO2. Pour ce qui est des pays de l'OCDE, elle est égale à 1 bien que certaines études trouvent des valeurs inférieures mais assez proche de 1.

This thesis intends to show that pogroms in the reign of Alexander III were neither encouraged nor instigated by the government. While other historians have demonstrated why the government could not have been involved in a pogrom policy, a thesis to which the author adds new primary source materials, it is possible to go one step further with new information emerging on alternative origins and reasons for the pogroms. It is argued that there was independent anti-Jewish action among the peasantry that clearly shows their capability for self-motivation and organisation. Chapters 1 and 2 review the literature on the Russian peasantry, the nature of the autocracy, the tensions within Russian society and the role of the Jewish population within the Russian Empire until the 1880s. These are the areas on which the crux of the thesis rests. Chapter 3 re-examines the period 1881-1894 in more detail in an effort to understand more clearly Jewish and Russian social perceptions of the pogroms, and how this has led to misconceptions among historians. Chapter 4 looks more closely at the government policy on the Jewish Question, using new data that allows research to take into account the real feelings and concerns that were expressed at the highest levels of government. Chapter 5 considers the same unofficial and frank source of documentation but at lower levels, i. e. police and local officials. From these police reports, comes the factual evidence of the existence of peasant leadership, organisation and movements against authority, and more specifically against Jews. Chapter 6 concludes that by 1881, the autocracy did not control or understand Russian or Jewish society, and it was during the next thirteen years that this became evident. The re-evaluation of available data only serves to show that the pogroms were a clear illustration of this fact.