Populations - Logistic

Question 1

Logistic population growth

Answer 1

Model that shows how a pop’s growth rate decreases as it approaches a maximum limit, known as the carrying capacity.

Question 2

What does the logistic population growth curve look like? Be sure to label and explain the different stages.

Answer 2

[ refer to a picture]

1. Growth rate changes as the pop. increases.
2. Pop. increases at the beginning, then slows, then levels off at the size that can be maintained in the habitat.

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Carrying capacity: the pop. that can be sustained in the habitat indefinitely

Question 3

Why might a population that increases too quickly cause long-term or permanent damage to the habitat?

Answer 3

Increased animal population might deplete the habitat of its food supply too quickly, leaving the land barren, in terms of resources anyway.