AP Environmental Science Notes: Survivorship Curves, Carrying Capacity, and Population Growth

These flashcards cover key concepts related to survivorship curves, carrying capacity, and population growth as outlined in AP Environmental Science.

Survivorship Curve

A line graph showing the survival rates of a group of individuals of the same age over time.

Type I Curve

Represents species with high survival rates throughout most of life, followed by a sharp decline in old age, common in K-selected species.

Type II Curve

Represents a constant mortality rate throughout an individual's lifespan with an equal chance of dying at any point.

Type III Curve

Indicates high mortality rates early in life, with few surviving individuals living for a long time; typical of r-selected species.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely, based on resource availability.

Overshoot

When a population grows larger than its carrying capacity.

Dieback

A sharp decrease in population size due to overshoot, leading to resource depletion.

r-selected species

Species that produce many offspring with little parental care, typically exhibit boom-and-bust population cycles.

K-selected species

Species that have longer life spans, more parental care, and maintain their population near the carrying capacity.

Limiting Factors

Environmental elements that restrict population growth, including resource availability and space.

Exponential Growth

Population growth that occurs at a fixed rate, showing a J-shaped curve when graphed.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that starts fast but slows down as it approaches the carrying capacity, producing an S-shaped curve.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors whose effects on population growth strengthen as population density increases, such as competition and predation.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors that impact a population regardless of its density, such as natural disasters and climate change.