13.

1 Population growth

Terms
Explain biotic potential (r)

Environmental resistance on population growth

Carrying capacity Natality and mortality

Growth curve
Exponential growth curve Logistic growth curve

Density dependent factors

Density independent factors

 Population: group of individuals of the same species that live in a habitat

Population ecology studies interactions between members of a population & examines factors that affect population size (growth) & composition Population growth involves: i. biotic potential ii. environmental resistance iii. carrying capacity iv. natality & mortality v. population strategy

13.1 Population growth The increase in the number of individuals of a population

Growth at biotic potential (carrying capacity)

Growth with environmental resistance

BIOTIC POTENTIAL ( r )
The capacity of a population to increase in size in ideal / optimum conditions Gives the maximum rate for population growth when population density is low & resources are plentiful

Described by a J-shaped growth curve

ENVIRONMENTAL RESISTANCE
Environmental factors that limit growth of the population The population will not be able to achieve its full biotic potential Growth rate may become zero Described by an S-shaped growth curve

Eg of environmental resistance: limiting resources (food, light, shelter), accumulating toxic waste, stress, predation & diseases

CARRYING CAPACITY
The maximum population size that a particular environment can support The area occupied by a population has limiting resources (eg: predation, disease,food, shelter, water and light) Carrying capacity is achieved when population growth slows & maintains at a nearly steady level Described by the stable equilibrium phase of the S-shaped growth curve

NATALITY & MORTALITY

Natality: - birth rate - the number of offspring produced during a certain amount of time Mortality: - death rate - the number of individuals dying during a certain amount of time If natality > mortality, population size increases If mortality > natality, population size decreases If natality = mortality, population is stable

 Patterns of population growth are described by: i. Exponential growth curve ( human population )

ii. Logistic growth curve ( S-shape:Paramecium )

Exponential Growth Curve (human population )

The population size increases slowly during lag phase & then continuously grows very rapidly as time passes (log phase) Eg: human population growth

Logistic Growth Curve ( S-shape )

Consists of: i. lag phase (individuals start to grow as they are adapting to the environment) ii. exponential growth phase (growth is rapid as resources are still unlimited)

iii. linear phase (environmental resistance starts to take effect as population approaching the carrying capacity)
iv. equilibrium phase (population becomes stable) Eg: population growth of Paramecium in the lab shows the S-shaped growth curve

LIMITING FACTORS AFFECTING THE POPULATION SIZE

2 types of limiting factors: i. Density dependent factors - factors that limit population growth when population density / size increases -eg: niche( predator-prey relationship, habitat ) territorial behaviour, competition and interspecific factors) ii. Density independent factors - factors that limit population growth irrespective of population size - due to events that occur seasonally or unexpectedly -eg: climate, natural disasters and pesticides )

Examples of Density dependent factors

a) competition - when pop. size , competition for limited sources; causing a decrease in pop. growth - 2 types (intraspecific & interspecific) territorial behaviour - individuals (individually or in groups) select & defend a territory large enough to provide basic necessities - the larger & more productive the territory, the better it is for population growth predator prey relationship - when pop. of prey , pop. of predators & when pop. of prey , pop. of predators - usually shows fluctuation in pop. growth for both predators & prey

b)

c)

 Example of independent factors a) climate / weather b) natural disasters d) pesticides