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Population and prehistory II: Space-limited human populations in constant environments

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  • Puleston, Cedric O.
  • Tuljapurkar, Shripad

Abstract

We present a population model to examine the forces that determined the quality and quantity of human life in early agricultural societies where cultivable area is limited. The model is driven by the non-linear and interdependent relationships between the age distribution of a population, its behavior and technology, and the nature of its environment. The common currency in the model is the production of food, on which age-specific rates of birth and death depend. There is a single non-trivial equilibrium population at which productivity balances caloric needs. One of the most powerful controls on equilibrium hunger level is fertility control. Gains against hunger are accompanied by decreases in population size. Increasing worker productivity does increase equilibrium population size but does not improve welfare at equilibrium. As a case study we apply the model to the population of a Polynesian valley before European contact.

Suggested Citation

  • Puleston, Cedric O. & Tuljapurkar, Shripad, 2008. "Population and prehistory II: Space-limited human populations in constant environments," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 74(2), pages 147-160.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:thpobi:v:74:y:2008:i:2:p:147-160
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2008.05.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tommy Bengtsson & Cameron Campbell & James Z. Lee, 2004. "Life Under Pressure: Mortality and Living Standards in Europe and Asia, 1700-1900," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262025515, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gauthier, Nicolas, 2019. "Multilevel Simulation of Demography and Food Production in Ancient Agrarian Societies: A Case Study from Roman North Africa," SocArXiv 5be6a, Center for Open Science.
    2. Barraquand, Frédéric & Yoccoz, Nigel G., 2013. "When can environmental variability benefit population growth? Counterintuitive effects of nonlinearities in vital rates," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 1-11.
    3. Kirch, P.V. & Asner, G. & Chadwick, O.A. & Field, J. & Ladefoged, T. & Lee, C. & Puleston, C. & Tuljapurkar, S. & Vitousek, P.M., 2012. "Building and testing models of long-term agricultural intensification and population dynamics: A case study from the Leeward Kohala Field System, Hawai’i," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 227(C), pages 18-28.
    4. Clement Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2020. "The Ability in Antiquity of Some Agrarian Societies to Avoid the Malthusian Trap and Develop," Forum for Social Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(2), pages 202-227, April.
    5. Peura, Pekka, 2013. "From Malthus to sustainable energy—Theoretical orientations to reforming the energy sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 309-327.
    6. Michel, Philippe, 2021. "Model of neo-Malthusian population anticipating future changes in resources," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 16-31.
    7. Lee, Charlotte T. & Puleston, Cedric O. & Tuljapurkar, Shripad, 2009. "Population and prehistory III: Food-dependent demography in variable environments," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 76(3), pages 179-188.
    8. Kirch, P.V. & Asner, G. & Chadwick, O.A. & Field, J. & Ladefoged, T. & Lee, C. & Puleston, C. & Tuljapurkar, S. & Vitousek, P.M., 2012. "Reprint: Building and testing models of long-term agricultural intensification and population dynamics: A case study from the Leeward Kohala Field System, Hawai’i," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 54-64.
    9. Finn Hedefalk & Luciana Quaranta & Tommy Bengtsson, 2017. "Unequal lands: Soil type, nutrition, and child mortality in southern Sweden, 1850-1914," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(36), pages 1039-1080.
    10. Hedefalk, Finn & Quaranta, Luciana & Bengtsson, Tommy, 2016. "Unequal lands: Soil type, nutrition and child mortality in southern Sweden, 1850-1914," Lund Papers in Economic History 148, Lund University, Department of Economic History.

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