1. Chapter 5 Section 2 Limits to Growth
Objectives:
-Identify factors that limit population growth
-Differentiate between density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors

2. Limiting Factor: Causes population growth to decrease
How is this similar to the addition of a limiting nutrient to an ecosystem?

3. Exponential growth Rapid decline Steady population Steady population
Peak population
Rapid decline
Steady population
Steady population

4. Density-Dependent limiting factor
– Limiting factor that depends on population size
Operate more strongly when a population is large and dense

5. Density-Dependent Factors:
A: Competition
Occurs with members of the same species or among members of different species
Two species can compete for food, water, space, etc.
When these factors are become limited, populations will decrease

6. Density-Dependent Factors:
B: Predator–Prey Relationship:
Mechanism of population control in which a population is regulated by predation

7. Wolf and Moose Populations
Wolves
Wolf and Moose Populations

8. Density-Dependent Factors:
C: Parasitism and Disease

9. Density – Independent Factors:
Affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of population size.
Results in crash of population size
A: unusual weather
B: natural disasters
C: seasonal cycles
D: certain human activities (damming rivers, clear-cutting, etc)