Modeling Population Growth and Population Regulation

These flashcards cover key concepts related to modeling population growth and regulation, important for understanding ecological dynamics.

Population Growth Model

A mathematical description of the patterns of population change.

Exponential Growth

Rapid population growth where the size changes by a constant proportion at each instant in time.

Geometric Growth

A type of population growth that occurs at regular time intervals with a constant proportion change.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that can be supported indefinitely by the environment.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that influence population growth as the population's density increases, such as food availability.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors affecting population size regardless of density, like weather and natural disasters.

Lambda (λ)

Geometric population growth rate indicating the per capita finite rate of increase.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that starts rapidly but slows as population size approaches carrying capacity.

Intrinsic Rate of Increase (r)

The rate of population growth per capita, defined as births minus deaths.

Immigration and Emigration

Movement of individuals into (immigration) or out of (emigration) a population.

Nt

Population size at time 't'.

Nt+1

Population size one time step after 't'.

Population Regulation

Influencing factors that cause population growth rates to change based on density.

Inflection Point

The point in logistic growth where the rate of population increase begins to slow.

S-shaped Growth Curve

The typical curve representing logistic growth, stabilizing around the carrying capacity.

Graph of Population Size

A visual representation showing changes in population size over time.