Flashcard: Population Dynamics

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What is logistic growth in population dynamics?

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Logistic growth is a model of population growth that starts exponentially but slows as the population reaches its carrying capacity, resulting in an S-shaped curve.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

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What happens when two species compete for the same limited resource?

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One species may outcompete the other, leading to a decline in the population of the less competitive species.

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What factors are needed to measure population density?

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Population density is measured by the number of individuals in a given area.

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What is competition in an ecosystem?

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Competition occurs when two or more species or individuals vie for the same limited resources, such as food, space, or mates.

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What is the difference between exponential and logistic growth?

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Exponential growth occurs when resources are unlimited, leading to a rapid increase in population, while logistic growth accounts for resource limitations and stabilizes at carrying capacity.

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What is the significance of the carrying capacity in population dynamics?

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The carrying capacity indicates the maximum population size that an environment can sustain, influencing population growth and stability.

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How does resource scarcity affect population dynamics?

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As resources become scarce, competition increases, which can lead to a decrease in birth rates and an increase in mortality rates.

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What is the role of birth and death rates in population dynamics?

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Birth and death rates determine the growth rate of a population, influencing its size and stability over time.

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What is a population's growth rate?

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The growth rate is the rate at which a population increases or decreases in size, typically expressed as a percentage.