1. Relationship Notes: Graphs
The student will investigate and understand relationships among populations and communities within an ecosystem
Key concepts include:
interactions within and among populations including carrying capacities, limiting factors, and growth curves;
Although several species may share a habitat they each have their own niche. A niche is a very narrow range where a species fits within a habitat.

2. Factors that affect population growth
Limiting factor- any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence of organisms in a specific environment.
EX.- Amount of water
Amount of food
Temperature

3. Other factors that affect population growth
Carrying Capacity- the maximum population size that can be supported by the available resources
There can only be as many organisms as the environmental resources can support
Although several species may share a habitat they each have their own niche. A niche is a very narrow range where a species fits within a habitat.

4. J-shaped curve (exponential growth)
Carrying Capacity Nu m b e r
J-shaped curve (exponential growth)
Carrying Capacity (k)
S-shaped curve (logistic growth)
Ok so
Time

5. Graph #1: Competition Among the same species
Regulated by limiting factors
Exponential growth

7. Graph #2: Competition Between 2 Different Species

8. Predator-Prey Interactions
The population of any species is normally limited by the amount of food available.
If the population of the prey increases, then so will the population of the _______.
However, as the population of predators increases, the number of prey _______.
predators
decreases
Eg.
More grass means more ______.
More rabbits means more _____
But more foxes means less ______.
Eventually, less rabbits will mean ____ foxes again.
rabbits
foxes
rabbits
less

9. Graph #3: Predator- Prey