Population Ecology

Population

A group of individuals of a single species in a given area

Density

Dispersion

Demography

The study of statistics that affect population size

Life Table

Survivorship Curve

Reproductive Table

Population Growth

Exponential GrowthdN/dt = rmaxN

• dN = change in number

• dt = change in time

• rmax = intrinsic growth rate

• N = number of ind.

Population Growth

Logistic GrowthdN/dt = rmaxN (K-N)

K• dN = change in number

• dt = change in time

• rmax = intrinsic growth rate

• N = number of ind.

• K = Carrying Capacity

Population Growth

Reality

Life Histories

r selectedLarge number of offspring

No parental care

Small in size

Short lifespan

K selectedSmall number of offspring

Large amounts of parental care

Large in size

Longer lifespan

Population Limiting Factors

Density IndependentNatural disasters

Density DependentDisease

Human Population and ZPG

Which type of growth do humans follow?

What is ZPG?