Human Population Ecology

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary terms from the Human Population Ecology lecture.

population ecology

The study of how populations of organisms interact with their environment and with each other.

carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

survivorship

The proportion of individuals from a cohort that are likely to survive to a given age.

life history strategies

The strategies organisms use regarding growth, reproduction, and survival.

age structure

The distribution of individuals of different ages within a population.

sex ratios

The ratio of males to females in a given population.

ecological footprint

A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems, representing the amount of biologically productive land and water needed to produce and support the consumption of resources.

biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

invasive species

Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

limiting factors

Environmental conditions that limit the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population.

population growth models

Mathematical equations that describe how populations change over time.