Population Ecology: Unit 3, Topic 2

Question 1

What is Carrying Capacity?

Answer 1

The size of the population can be supported indefinitely by the available resources and services of that ecosystem.

The maximum population size that an environment can support.

Question 2

Explain what limiting factors are?

Answer 2

Limits the number (distribution and abundance) of individuals who can occupy an environment.

Biotic limiting factors:
- Availability and abundance of food.
- competition for resources
- predation
- disease
- number of mates

Abiotic limiting factors
- space
- availability of nutrients
- shelter
- light
- water
- temperature
- nesting sites
- pollution
- natural disasters

Question 3

What is the population growth formula?

Answer 3

Population growth rate = (br + ir) - (dr + er)

Question 4

What is the Lincoln index formula

Answer 4

N = M x n/ m
N = total population
M = number of individuals caught, marked and released initially
n = number of individuals caught of second sampling
m = the number of individuals recaptured that were marked.

Question 5

What is an exponential growth (J - curve)

Answer 5

• The growth of a population in an ideal, unlimited environment.
• increases at a constant rate

Question 6

What is a Logistic Growth (s - curve)

Answer 6

• population increases rapidly, however, cannot be sustained (resources)
• Rate of population increase approaches zero as the population gets closer to its carrying capacity.

Question 7

What is the effect of change?

Answer 7

Limiting factors that determine carrying capacity
- Abiotic and biotic factors dictate how many organisms can live in an ecosystem.
- If the factors change, the carrying capacity changes as well.