Carrying Capacity & Limiting Factors Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a population?

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time.

What is a biological community?

A group of different interacting populations that occupy the same area at the same time.

What is an ecosystem?

All of the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things interacting in an area.

Put the levels of organization in order from smallest to largest: ________ , biological community, ecosystem.

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What is a limiting factor?

Any abiotic (non-living) or biotic (living) factor that restricts the numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of limiting factors?

Humans, competition, sunlight, climate, temperature, water, space, fire, predation, disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of limiting factors?

They keep populations from continuously increasing. Signup and view all the answers

What does density-dependent limiting factor mean?

Any factor that DEPENDS on the number (population) of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of density-dependent limiting factors?

Disease, food supply, competition, parasites, space for territory/homes. Signup and view all the answers

What does density-independent limiting factor mean?

Any factor that DOES NOT DEPEND on the number (population) of organisms in the area. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of density-independent limiting factors?

Weather, fire, pollution (air or water), natural disaster (tornado, hurricane, volcano), human changes to the landscape. Signup and view all the answers

What does RANGE of tolerance mean?

The upper and lower limit that defines the ability of an organism to withstand the conditions around it. Signup and view all the answers

In biology, what does tolerance mean?

The ability of an organism to survive when subjected to abiotic & biotic factors. Signup and view all the answers

In a range of tolerance, what does optimum zone mean?

It is the zone where the organism can survive the best and the population will be the highest. Signup and view all the answers

In a range of tolerance, what does zone of physiological stress mean?

It is a zone where the organism can survive, but just barely. Signup and view all the answers

What is carrying capacity?

The maximum number of individuals of a population that a given environment can support for the LONG TERM. Signup and view all the answers

What kinds of things limit carrying capacity?

Food, water, oxygen, space, energy, and other resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is exponential growth?

A very fast growth in a population until some limiting factor slows the growth and the carrying capacity is reached. Signup and view all the answers

What shape is the line in an exponential growth graph?

"J" shape. Signup and view all the answers

What is logistic growth?

It occurs AFTER exponential growth. The growth rate slows down as it nears carrying capacity and becomes more steady. Signup and view all the answers

What shape is the line on a logistic growth graph?

"S" shape. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Population and Community

Population: A group of individuals belonging to the same species, coexisting in a specific area at the same time.
Biological Community: Comprises different populations interacting within the same geographical area simultaneously.

Ecosystem and Levels of Organization

Ecosystem: Encompasses all biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) components interacting in an area.
Levels of Organization: Arranged from smallest to largest includes Population, Biological Community, and Ecosystem.

Limiting Factors

Limiting Factor: Any abiotic or biotic element that restricts organismal numbers, reproduction, or spatial distribution.
Examples: Include human activity, competition, sunlight, climate, temperature, water, space, fire, predation, and disease.
Importance: Crucial for maintaining population sizes and preventing unchecked growth.

Density-Dependent vs. Density-Independent Factors

Density-Dependent Limiting Factors: Variables that rely on population density, affecting organisms based on their numbers.
Examples: Disease, food supply scarcity, competition for resources, parasites, and territorial space.
Density-Independent Limiting Factors: Variables unaffected by population density; impact all populations regardless of size.
Examples: Weather events, fires, pollution, natural disasters, and human-induced landscape changes.

Range of Tolerance

Range of Tolerance: The spectrum of conditions an organism can endure, encompassing upper and lower limits for survival.
Tolerance in Biology: Refers to an organism's ability to survive exposure to varying abiotic and biotic factors.
Optimum Zone: The ideal environmental conditions for an organism's survival, yielding the highest population.
Zone of Physiological Stress: A challenging environment where organisms can survive, but population numbers are significantly reduced.

Carrying Capacity and Population Growth

Carrying Capacity: The highest sustainable population an environment can support long-term, determined by available resources.
Factors Limiting Carrying Capacity: Include food, water, oxygen, space, and energy resources.
Exponential Growth: Characterized by rapid population increases until limited by environmental factors, reflected in a "J" shaped graph.
Logistic Growth: A phase following exponential growth, where the rate slows as it approaches carrying capacity, represented in an "S" shaped graph.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key ecological concepts with these flashcards. This set covers essential terms such as populations, biological communities, and ecosystems, providing definitions and examples. Ideal for students learning about ecology and environmental science.