Population Growth - Exponential Flashcards
Exponential population growth
Rapid increase in population numbers.
Doubling time
The amount of time it takes a population to double.
Why can populations only grow exponentially for a limited amount of time?
Because they can only do so until resources run out.
Why was Opuntia introduced to Australia?
To create a living fence.
Why was Opuntia able grow and spread so quickly?
- Had no natural herbivores or competitors.
- Can grow and reproduce sexually and asexually.
Would the population of Opuntia continued to grow like this indefinitely?
Yes.
How is the Opuntia problem an example of how a lack of understanding of the biology of an organism can create a difficult to control situation?
Shows how the population of an organism can get out of hand if its biology is not understood.
What is Cactoblastis cactorum?
Moth!
Why is this organism particularly useful for the Opuntia problem?
- Specialist feeder of Opuntia.
- Consumes the growing tissue on cactus > cactus can’t get resources = catcus death.
Did Cactoblastis cactorum solve the problem of Opuntia?
Yes.
What does the exponential growth curve look like?
J-curve
