I'm not a biologist, but surely the fewer-than-replacement birth rate could be considered as just a new way for the population to drop to carrying capacity? It may be a response unique to humans, but wouldn't the effect be the same?
It's not a response to the carrying capacity of the planet/environment, though. It's a response to the pressures and culture of human societies in developed countries.
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I'm not a biologist, but surely the fewer-than-replacement birth rate could be considered as just a new way for the population to drop to carrying capacity? It may be a response unique to humans, but wouldn't the effect be the same?
It's not a response to the carrying capacity of the planet/environment, though. It's a response to the pressures and culture of human societies in developed countries.