Carrying Capacity Flashcards

Study Notes

Population Concepts

Population: A group of organisms of the same species in a specific area.
Population Size: The total number of individuals within a population.
Population Density: The concentration of individuals in a population per unit area or volume.
Population Distribution: The spatial arrangement of individuals within their habitat.

Population Dynamics

Survivorship Curve: A graph illustrating the number of individuals alive at each age, providing insight into mortality rates at different life stages.
Immigration: The process where individuals from one population join another population in a different location.
Emigration: The departure of individuals from a population to reside elsewhere.
Dispersal: The movement of offspring away from their parents to establish new territories.
Migration: Seasonal, regular movement of populations or individuals that occurs annually.

Growth Patterns

Exponential Growth: A growth pattern where the population increases slowly initially, then accelerates as the size expands.
Logistic Growth: A growth pattern that plateaus as the population approaches its carrying capacity, with growth slowing down significantly.

Carrying Capacity

Carrying Capacity (K): Denotes the maximum sustainable population size that an ecosystem can support without leading to degradation.
K-Selected Species: Species that thrive in stable environments, exhibiting population control through density-dependent factors.
r-Selected Species: Species adapted to unstable environments, characterized by rapid population growth and uncontrolled reproduction.

Description

Test your knowledge of key terms related to carrying capacity with these flashcards. Learn about population, population size, density, and distribution. Perfect for students studying ecology and environmental science.