13.1 Populatin Growth
13.1 Populatin Growth
13.1 Populatin Growth
1 Population growth
Terms
Explain biotic potential (r)
Growth curve
Exponential growth curve Logistic growth curve
BIOTIC POTENTIAL ( r )
The capacity of a population to increase in size in ideal / optimum conditions Gives the maximum rate for population growth when population density is low & resources are plentiful
ENVIRONMENTAL RESISTANCE
Environmental factors that limit growth of the population The population will not be able to achieve its full biotic potential Growth rate may become zero Described by an S-shaped growth curve
Eg of environmental resistance: limiting resources (food, light, shelter), accumulating toxic waste, stress, predation & diseases
CARRYING CAPACITY
The maximum population size that a particular environment can support The area occupied by a population has limiting resources (eg: predation, disease,food, shelter, water and light) Carrying capacity is achieved when population growth slows & maintains at a nearly steady level Described by the stable equilibrium phase of the S-shaped growth curve
Patterns of population growth are described by: i. Exponential growth curve ( human population )
iii. linear phase (environmental resistance starts to take effect as population approaching the carrying capacity)
iv. equilibrium phase (population becomes stable) Eg: population growth of Paramecium in the lab shows the S-shaped growth curve
b)
c)