Ecology: Population Growth Background

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to population growth and ecology.

Exponential Growth

A type of growth where the number increases continuously over time, resulting in a rapid increase in population size.

Survivorship (lx)

The proportion of individuals in a population that survive to a given age.

Fecundity (Fx)

The average number of offspring produced by an individual of a certain age.

Population Pyramid

A graphical representation that shows the distribution of various age groups in a population.

Density Dependent Factor

Factors that affect population growth based on the number of individuals in a population, such as resource availability and disease transmission.

Type 1 Survivorship Curve

Characterized by high survival rates for juveniles and a steep drop-off in mortality at older ages.

Type 2 Survivorship Curve

Characterized by a constant mortality rate throughout the lifespan.

Type 3 Survivorship Curve

High mortality rates in early life stages and low mortality rates for older age classes.

Lambda (λ)

The finite rate of population increase used to indicate the growth rate over discrete time periods.

Semi-log Graph

A graph where one axis is on a logarithmic scale; used to linearize exponential growth.

Life Tables

Tables that summarize age-specific survival and reproduction rates, useful for understanding population dynamics.

Covariant Growth

Growth influenced by both population density and environmental factors.

One Child Policy

A population control policy implemented in China in 1979 aiming to limit family size.

R (Intrinsic Growth Rate)

The rate at which a population increases in size if there are no limits to growth.

Population Growth Rate

The change in population size over time, expressed in terms of birth and death rates.

Ecosystem Regulation

Mechanisms that maintain stable populations through feedback processes, including resource availability and reproductive rates.