Populations

What is a Population?
All individuals of a species that live
together in one place at one time

Population Size
The total number of individuals of a
species
The number of individuals in a population
can affect that populations ability to
survive
Population Density
The number of individuals that live in a
given area
Dispersion
The way individuals of a population are
arranged in a space
Exponential Growth
Happens when population growth rate
stays the same and the population size
increases steadily
J - curve
Logistic Growth
Growth starts exponentially but then levels
off as carrying capacity is reached.
S-shaped curve
Carrying Capacity
The maximum population size that an
environment can sustain
Density Dependent Factors

A factor whose effects on the size or
growth of population vary with the
population density.
Food
Disease
Density Independent Factors
A factor that affects the size of a
population independent or regardless of
the population density.
Weather
Climate


r-strategists
Populations which grow exponentially
when environmental conditions allow them
to reproduce
Large numbers of offspring produced
Short life expectancy
Mosquitos
bacteria
K-strategists
Organisms that grow slowly and have
small populations
Populations usually remain at carrying
capacity
Long life span, few young, slow
maturation, reproduction later in life
Whales
Tigers
gorillas
Changes in Population Size and
Biodiversity
Invasive, non-native species -
"non-native", plants or animals that
have a harmful effect on the habitats
they invade environmentally and/or
ecologically.
Example:
Cane Toads
Means of Introduction: Originally
introduced to control sugar cane pests;
current population in FL was an
accidental release
Impact: Preys on and competes with
native species; highly toxic to predators
(including pets)