Regulation of Population Growth Flashcards
1
Q
What is environmental resistance?
A
The total number of limiting factors that stop a population from reproducing at its maximum rate
2
Q
What is carrying capacity?
A
The population density that the environment can support
3
Q
What are the types of limiting factors?
A
- density independent factors
- density dependent factors
4
Q
What are density independent factors?
A
Density independent factors are factors that limit the growth of a population as a result of natural factors and not because of the density or number of the organism
5
Q
What are density dependent factors?
A
Density dependent factors are factors that limit the growth of a population by having a greater effect when the population density is high
6
Q
List some examples of density independent factors
A
- physical factors (rainfall, temperature, humidity, acidity, salinity)
- catastrophic events (floods, fire, drought, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes)
7
Q
List some examples of density dependent factors
A
- competition within populations for resources (food, light, oxygen, water, space and shelter)
- more easily found by predators due to large numbers
- disease and parasites spread more readily
