Question

The ratio of total population to net cultivated area is called _ _ _ _ .

• A. Population Density
• B. Agricultural Density
• C. Physiological Density
• D. Geometric Density

Hint:

Remember the clear distinctions:
$\text{Physiological Density} = \frac{\text{Total Population}}{\text{Net Cultivated Area}}$
$\text{Agricultural Density} = \frac{\text{Agricultural Population}}{\text{Net Cultivated Area}}$
$\text{Arithmetic Density} = \frac{\text{Total Population}}{\text{Total Area}}$

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
While simple arithmetic density divides total population by total geographical area, it masks variations in agricultural carrying capacity because large tracts of land may be barren, mountainous, or non-arable.
To evaluate the true biological and agricultural pressure exerted by human populations on productive land, geographers compute refined ecological indices of density.

Step 1: Formula for Physiological Density:
Physiological density (also called nutritional density) measures the human pressure exerted specifically on the net cultivated land.
It is mathematically defined as:
\[ \text{Physiological Density} = \frac{\text{Total Population}}{\text{Net Cultivated Area}} \] This metric provides a realistic assessment of a country's land resources to provide food for its entire resident populace.

Step 2: Contrast with Alternative Density Ratios:
Arithmetic Population Density is defined as:
\[ \text{Arithmetic Density} = \frac{\text{Total Population}}{\text{Total Geographical Area}} \] Agricultural Density measures the farming population relative to farmland:
\[ \text{Agricultural Density} = \frac{\text{Total Agricultural Population}}{\text{Net Cultivated Area}} \] Here, the agricultural population includes farmers, agricultural labourers, and their immediate family dependents.
Final Answer:
Therefore, the ratio of total population to net cultivated area is called Physiological Density.