Chapter 3: Populations

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place at the same time

Lincoln index

A formula used to estimate animal population sizes through a mark-and-recapture technique

Exponential population growth (J-curve)

The growth of a population in an ideal, unlimited environment

Logistic population growth (S-curve)

The population growth that levels off as population size approaches carrying capacity

Environmental resistance

Environmental conditions that limit a species population from growing out of control; includes both biotic and abiotic factors

Carrying capacity

The greatest density of organisms that an area or a resource can potentially support

Density dependent

The effect of a factor increases with an increase in population size

Density independent

The effect of a factor is the same regardless of population size

K-selected

The spectrum is characterised by stability, which includes longer reproductive cycles, longer periods of parental care and social learning, longer lifespans and lower mortality rates

r-selected

Is characterised by variability, which includes faster and more frequent reproductive cycles, little to no parental input or social learning, shorter lifespans and higher mortality rates

Immigration

The movement of individuals of a species into a place

Emigration

The movement of individuals of a species out of a place