Factors Affecting Population Change

Exponential Vs. Logistic Growth

Two Strategies for Growth 1. “r-strategists”: Spawners! Characterized by exponential growth, which results in temporarily large populations, followed by sudden crashes in population size. Ex. Insects, bacteria, some plants live in unpredictable and rapidly changing environments Reproduce quickly when conditions are favorable External Fertilization Many offspring: small, mature rapidly, no parental care

Two Strategies for Growth 2. “K-strategists”: Brooders! Characterized by a high degree of specialization. Ex. Trees, whales, tigers, etc. Live in stable and predictable environments Can compete effectively Reproduce late in life Internal Fertilization Few offspring: large, mature slowly, often much parental care

Density Dependent Factors Factors that influence population regulation, having greater impact as population density increases or decreases Struggle for survival includes factors like competition, predation, disease, and other biological effects

Density Dependent Factors Intraspecific Competition – Ecological interaction where individuals of the same species/population compete for resources in their habitat.

Density Dependent Factors Predation - Consumption of prey by carnivores -Regulation can occur due to preferred species of prey

Density Dependent Factors Disease – Pathogens able to pass from host to host in overcrowded populations with greater ease

Density Dependent Factors Allee effect – Occurs when population cannot survive or fails to reproduce enough to offset mortality once the population density is too low; such populations usually do not survive. Eg. The extinct passenger pigeon.

Density Dependent Factors Minimum viable population size – Smallest number of individual needed for a population to continue for a given period of time Small population size can result in inbreeding and loss of genetic variation

Density Independent Factors Factors influencing population regulation regardless of population density Human intervention - Pesticides Environment - reproductive success based on temperatures, natural disasters etc

Limiting Factors Any essential resource that is in short supply or unavailable. These factors determine how much the individual or population can reproduce. Eg. light, space, water, nutrients  

Homework! Page 675 1, 2 & 5 Read 676-687