What term refers to the rapid increase in the size of a human population?

The concept of exponential growth describes a situation where a population increases at a rate proportional to its current size, leading to rapid and accelerating growth over time. This phenomenon is characterized by the mathematical expression of growth where the size of the population increases by a fixed percentage during each time interval.

In the context of human populations, this means that as more individuals are added to the population, the actual number of new individuals added in subsequent time periods becomes larger, creating an upward spiral of growth. Factors such as advances in healthcare, improved living conditions, and high birth rates can contribute to exponential growth.

Understanding this term is crucial in biology and environmental science as it highlights the potential for populations to grow unsustainably, leading to issues such as resource depletion, habitat destruction, and social strain if not managed.