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Glite Dictionary
🏜️ Too few people 🦌 Low species numbers
underpopulation

underpopulation

7.1
Too few animals or plants of a species for it to survive and keep genetic variety
  • noun
  • /ˌʌndərˈpɒpjʊˌleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : subpoblación
  • Conservationists are concerned about the underpopulation of endangered birds in the region.

Examples

  • The underpopulation of certain animal species can lead to a loss of genetic diversity.

  • The underpopulation of certain species can lead to extinction.

  • Rural areas sometimes face underpopulation as young people move to cities for work.

  • Many regions face underpopulation due to migration.

  • The underpopulation of certain animal species can lead to a loss of genetic diversity.

  • Conservationists are concerned about the underpopulation of endangered birds in the region.

  • Rural areas sometimes face underpopulation as young people move to cities for work.

Synonyms

depopulation
vsunderpopulation
4 7.2

A decrease in the number of people living in a place

is a critically low population threatening survival or genetic diversity

Antonyms

overpopulation
22 5.3

Too many people living in one area so resources and life get worse

How Threatened

extinction
150 4.4
underpopulation
  • Specialized
7.1

Surface Forms

underpopulation singular
underpopulations plural

Morphology

underpopulation = population (transparent) = under + population

The compound expresses a straightforward concept of 'too few' + 'population', which learners can infer.

Etymology

Underpopulation comes from under- meaning 'not enough' and population meaning 'a group of people or animals'. So underpopulation can mean there are so few members of a species or community that it may struggle to survive or lose its natural variety.