1. April 17, 2012
List four biogeochemical processes that cycle nutrients.
Explain the difference between primary and secondary succession.
Give an example of primary and secondary succession which can be found in our area.

2. Populations
SPI
SPI
SPI 3210.Math.1
SPI 3210.Inq.3

3. Essential Question: What factors contribute to population growth or decline?

4. What’s different about these two population areas?
Times Square, New York City
Mumbai, India

5. Let’s Think About This…
Population of India
1,170,938,000 (2010)
Population of United States
307,006,550 (2009)

6. Characteristics of Populations
Three important characteristics of a population are:
Dispersion: pattern of spacing of a population (uniform, random, clumped)
Population density: number of individuals per unit area
Growth rate: number of births, deaths, and number of immigrants/emigrants.

8. Population Growth Exponential Growth
Occurs when individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate.
This will occur under ideal conditions with unlimited resources

9. Exponential Growth

11. Population Growth Logistic Growth
Most populations will grow exponentially at first, but eventually growth slows down as resources become less available.
Carrying capacity: The largest number of organisms a given environment can support.

12. Logistic Growth

14. April 18, 2012
List three characteristics that are used to describe a population.
What is the difference between exponential growth and logistic growth?
Does exponential growth have a carrying capacity? Explain your answer.

15. Limits to Population Growth
Limiting Factors: Causes population growth to slow down or decrease
Density-dependent
Density-independent

16. Density-Dependent Factors
Become limiting only when the population density reaches a certain level. These factors will not affect small, scattered populations.
Competition, predation, parasitism, and disease

17. Density-Independent Factors
Affect all populations in similar ways, regardless of the size.
These factors include unusual weather, natural disasters, seasonal cycles, and human activities.

18. Which of the following would be considered a density-dependent factor?
Deforestation
Hurricane
Flooding
Predation

19. Which of the following would be considered a density-independent factor?
Competition
Parasitism
Forest fire
Contagious disease