Final answer:
A geographic region struggling with insufficient resources for its population is experiencing overpopulation. This occurs when the ecological footprint exceeds the region's carrying capacity, potentially leading to environmental damage and a population crash. Factors such as resource scarcity and climate change play a significant role in this dynamic.
Step-by-step explanation:
A geographic region in which resources are insufficient to support the number of people living there is referred to as overpopulation. This situation arises when the human population size is too large to be sustained by the available resources without causing environmental damage. Factors such as resource scarcity, pollution, and climate change can exacerbate this issue. If the human population continues to grow, the ecological footprint will increase, potentially leading to a decrease in the carrying capacity of these regions and a subsequent population crash.
It's crucial to note that overpopulation does not simply refer to a high number of people, but specifically to a scenario where the region's resources — like water, food, and space — are surpassing their limits to provide for the population. Many factors contribute to this, such as aquifer depletion, water availability, declining arable land due to desertification, and more. In such situations, populations might be predominantly rural with increasing urban poverty, and inadequate access to resources like food, accentuating the issue.
Seeing homeless people can be a stark reminder of the reality of resource scarcity and overpopulation, as they may represent the visible outcome of a region's inability to support its population fully.