Integrative Biology 102: Lecture Outline

Population Ecology

Lecture Objectives

By the end of the lecture (and reading your text), you should be able to:
  1. list and explain factors that produce changes in population size.
  2. contrast a J-shaped population growth curve with an S-shaped population growth curve.
  3. indicate which part of an S-shaped growth curve represents biotic potential, environmental resistance, and carrying capacity.
  4. distinguish between density-dependent and density-independent factors and give examples of each.
  5. contrast the effects of density-dependent and -independent factors on population growth.
  6. contrast r- and K-selected species.

Reading: Ch. 6.

Terms

  • S-shaped
  • J-shaped
  • r-selected
  • K-selected
  • density-independent
  • density-dependent
  • natality
  • environmental resistance
  • biotic potential
  • exponential growth
  • ecological carrying capacity (cc)
  • fertility rate

1. Population growth

    Equation r=(B-D)/N

     

    r-max (Biotic Potential)








2.  Carrying capacity




 For the next lecture on Human Population Dynamics, read Ch. 7. Be ready to answer these questions in lecture: