1. CHARACTERISTICS OF
POPULATIONS

2. POPULATION SIZE The number of individuals. Size is usually estimated.
Plant population sizes change much slower than animal populations.

3. POPULATION DENSITY
Number of individuals that occupy a definite area.

4. 3. POPULATION SPACING How organisms are arranged in a given space.
Evenly spaced
Consistent distance between populations.
Randomly spaced
Organism’s location is independent of
other organisms.
Clumped together
Food, space, water are very close to one another.

5. Clumped spacing

6. 4. LIMITING FACTORS
Any abiotic or biotic factor that limits the number of individuals in a populations.
Food, water, space and shelter are affected.
Examples
Drought
Fire

7. 5. CARRY CAPACITY
The largest number of individuals of species that an environment can support and maintain for a long period of time.