Population Growth Patterns

Population Size Factors Population sizes change based on resources Increase Immigration Births Decrease Emigration Deaths

Exponential Growth Growth rates determined by abundant resources Dramatic population increases over time J-shaped curve

Logistic Growth Most populations faced with limited resources Factors: Disease, food, predators, climate, space, mates Three stages 1) Slow growth 2) Exponential growth 3) Carrying Capacity: greatest number of individuals that a population can sustain S-shaped curve

Population Crash Defined: Dramatic decline in the size of a population Usually over a short time period Causes: Environment changes, drop in resources

Limiting Factors Density Dependent: factors that are affected by the individuals in a given area Competition Predation Parasitism Disease Density Independent: environmental factors that limit populations Climate/weather Natural disasters Human activity

Density Dependent Top graph: Two species of Paramecia were grown in two separate containers. Both populations thrived. Bottom graph: Due to competition, Paramecium caudatum crashed when grown in the presence of Paramecium aurelia

Density Independent This graph shows the decline in the population of one of Darwin's finches on Daphne Major, a tiny (100-acre) member of the Galapagos Islands. The decline (from 1400 to 200 individuals) occurred because of a severe drought that reduced the quantity of seeds on which this species feeds. The drought ended in 1978, but even with ample food once again available the finch population recovered only slowly.