Question

Consequences of population explosion were explained for the first time by

• A. Darwin
• B. De Vries
• C. Lamarck
• D. Malthus

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Malthus

A Malthusian catastrophe is a prediction that population growth will outpace agricultural production – that there will be too many people and not enough food.

Thomas Malthus wrote: Famine seems to be the last, the most dreadful resource of nature. The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race. The vices of mankind are active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction, and often finish the dreadful work themselves. But should they fail in this war of extermination, sickly seasons, epidemics, pestilence, and plague advance in terrific array, and sweep off their thousands and tens of thousands. Should success be still incomplete, gigantic inevitable famine stalks in the rear, and with one mighty blow levels the population with the food of the world.

So, the correct answer is 'Malthus'.