Population Dynamics - Key terms

birth rate

the number of babies born per 1,000 people per year. Technologically advanced countries generally are characterized by low birth rates (Taiwan’s 8 vs. Niger’s 52)

death rate

the annual number of deaths per 1,000 population. Rates do not reflect wide variations in age distribution within populations.

total fertility rate (TFR)

the average number of children each woman within the population is likely to bear during her reproductive lifetime

growth rate

the rate of natural increase. Death rate subtracted from birth rate expressed as a percentage.

doubling time

the time required for a population to double its size

S-curve

The upper limit of the curve (upper asymptote) indicates the point at which birth and death rates are in equilibrium between the biotic potential of the population and environmental resistance.

Upper asymptote = carrying capacity

J-curve

Population exponentially increases and reaches very rapidly to or beyond carrying capacity before environmental resistance becomes apparent. Population crashes occur before self-limiting effects within a population become apparent.