Life Processes In The Biosphere Flashcards
What is the actual size of a population controlled by? (3)
Births
Deaths
Movements in and out area
What is the number of births controlled by?
The natural reproductive potential of a species (biotic potential)
What is the number of deaths controlled by?
Environmental factors
Give examples for density independent factors? (3)
Drought
Good
Volcanic eruption
Give examples of density dependent factors (2)
Food supply
Disease
What is the carrying capacity?
The max population size that can be supported indefinitely without damaging or over-exploiting the environment
What happens if the population drops below that carrying capacity?
The density dependent factors become weaker so mortality decreases and the population increases
What does higher diversity in less abiotically extreme environments result in?
More stable ecosystems in which populations are dominated by biotic factors
