A population 'crash' is called catastrophic control of population. It was termed "positive checks" by an economist

Options

A. Malthus
B. Darwin
C. Lamarch
D. Mendel

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Concept of Population Crash**: A population crash refers to a sudden decline in the number of individuals in a population. This can occur due to various factors such as famine, disease, or natural disasters.

2. **Identifying the Term Used**: The question mentions that a population crash is referred to as "catastrophic control of population." This term indicates that the decline is often due to severe and sudden factors that drastically reduce population numbers.

3. **Historical Context**: The question also asks about an economist who termed this phenomenon as "positive checks." The historical context is important to understand who made significant contributions to population theory.

4. **Introducing Thomas R. Malthus**: The economist who is associated with the concept of population growth and checks is Thomas R. Malthus. He published his ideas in the late 18th century (specifically in 1798).

5. **Malthus's Theory**: Malthus proposed that human populations grow geometrically (exponentially), while food resources grow arithmetically. This means that population can increase rapidly, but resources will not keep up, leading to a potential imbalance.

6. **Positive Checks**: Malthus identified factors that could reduce population size when it exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment. These factors include famine, disease, and war, which he termed "positive checks." These checks are natural controls that bring the population back to sustainable levels.

7. **Conclusion**: Based on the information provided, the correct answer to the question is that the economist who termed the population crash as "positive checks" is Thomas R. Malthus.

**Final Answer**: The economist who termed the population crash as "positive checks" is Thomas R. Malthus.

---