Population Ecology
Population ecology studies how populations of organisms change over time and the factors that regulate population size. Key concepts include carrying capacity, limiting factors, and predator-prey dynamics.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size an environment can sustain
Limiting factors: food, water, space, disease, and predation restrict population growth
Exponential growth occurs when resources are unlimited; logistic growth levels off at carrying capacity
Predator-prey cycles: prey increase leads to predator increase, then prey decline, then predator decline
Key Vocabulary
Carrying capacity
The maximum population size an ecosystem can support sustainably
Limiting factor
An environmental resource or condition that restricts population growth
Exponential growth
Population growth at an accelerating rate when resources are unlimited
Logistic growth
Population growth that slows as it approaches carrying capacity
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
A population graph that grows rapidly then levels off at a stable size shows:
Question 2
In a predator-prey system, when the prey population dramatically increases, what typically happens next?
Question 3
Which is an example of a density-dependent limiting factor?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size an environment can sustain
- ●Limiting factors: food, water, space, disease, and predation restrict population growth
- ●Exponential growth occurs when resources are unlimited; logistic growth levels off at carrying capacity
- ●Predator-prey cycles: prey increase leads to predator increase, then prey decline, then predator decline