Population Ecology

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably.

Front

Define limiting factor.

Back

Any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the size of a population.

Front

What are examples of limiting factors?

Back

Food, water, sunlight, shelter, and space.

Front

What type of growth is represented by a J-shaped curve?

Back

Exponential Growth.

Front

What happens when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

Back

The population starts to die off to return to carrying capacity.

Front

What is exponential growth?

Back

A growth pattern where the population size increases rapidly in proportion to the current size.

Front

What is logistic growth?

Back

A growth pattern that starts exponentially but slows as the population reaches carrying capacity.

Front

What is a population?

Back

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Front

What is the difference between density-dependent and density-independent factors?

Back

Density-dependent factors are influenced by population size (e.g., competition), while density-independent factors affect populations regardless of size (e.g., natural disasters).

Front

What role do predators play in population ecology?

Back

Predators help regulate prey populations, maintaining balance in the ecosystem.