Population Ecology

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably.

Any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the size of a population.

Food, water, sunlight, shelter, and space.

Exponential Growth.

The population starts to die off to return to carrying capacity.

A growth pattern where the population size increases rapidly in proportion to the current size.

A growth pattern that starts exponentially but slows as the population reaches carrying capacity.

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Density-dependent factors are influenced by population size (e.g., competition), while density-independent factors affect populations regardless of size (e.g., natural disasters).

Predators help regulate prey populations, maintaining balance in the ecosystem.