The Malthusian–Darwinian dynamic and the trajectory of civilization

Authors

• Jeffrey C. Nekola, University of New Mexico - Main CampusFollow
• Craig D. Allen, U.S. Geological SurveyFollow
• James H. Brown, Santa Fe Institute
• Joseph R. Burger, University of New Mexico - Main Campus
• Ana D. Davidson, Stony Brook University
• Trevor S. Fristoe, University of New Mexico - Main Campus
• Marcus J. Hamilton, University of New Mexico - Main Campus
• Sean T. Hammond, University of New Mexico - Main Campus
• Astrid Kodric-Brown, University of New Mexico - Main Campus
• Norman Mercado-Silva, University of Arizona
• Jordan G. Okie, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution (2013) 28(3): 127-130.

Abstract

Two interacting forces influence all populations: the Malthusian dynamic of exponential growth until resource limits are reached, and the Darwinian dynamic of innovation and adaptation to circumvent these limits through biological and/or cultural evolution. The specific manifestations of these forces in modern human society provide an important context for determining how humans can establish a sustainable relationship with the finite Earth.