Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. No population can grow indefinitely! Species vary in their Biotic Potential = the capacity for population growth with unlimited resources and ideal conditions. Resources can include: food oxygen water light space nutrients Ideal conditions: shelter weather no predation mates

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. No population can grow indefinitely! Every environment has Environmental Resistance = the combination of all factors that act to limit the growth of a population (lack of resources and or environmental conditions) Number of sheep (millions) Year

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. No population can grow indefinitely! The Biotic Potential + Environmental Resistance = Carrying Capacity Every environment has a CARRYING CAPACITY = the maximum number of individuals of a given species that can be sustained indefinitely in a given space Number of sheep (millions) Year

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. Factors that can change carrying capacity: 1.Competition within and between species. 2.Natural and human caused catastrophes. 3.Immigration and emigration. 4.Seasonal fluctuations in food, water, shelter, and nesting sites.

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. A population that has few if any resource limitations grows exponentially. EXPONENTIAL GROWTH starts out slowly and then proceeds faster and faster as the population increases. Time (t) Population size (N) “J” population growth curve

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves.

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. LOGISTIC GROWTH involves initial exponential growth and then there is a steady decrease in growth as the population encounters environmental resistance and approaches carrying capacity and levels off. “S or sigmoid” population growth curve Time (t) Population size (N) K

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. r and K Selected Species r-selected species = species with a high biotic potential. These species have many, small, offspring and give them little or no care. Examples are algae, bacteria, rodents, frogs, turtles, annual plants, and most insects. These species tend to be opportunists, reproducing rapidly when conditions are favorable or when disturbances open up a new habitat.

Topic 2 Population Dynamics Students will be able to: -describe the ways in which populations can change -define carrying capacity and describe factors that affect it. - describe the principles associated with survivorship curves including k- and r- strategists. -describe and explain “S” and “J” population growth curves. r and k Selected Species K-selected species = species with a low biotic potential. These species reproduce later in life, have small number of offspring, and have long life spans. Examples are mammals, birds of prey, and large and long-lived plants. These species tend to be competitors.