Chapter 35: Population Dynamics
population dynamics: changes in population size and the factors that regulate populations over time
population density: number of individuals of a species per unit area or volume
mark-recapture method: captured animals are marked, then capture animals again after period of time; estimates entire population
dispersion pattern: refers to way individuals are spaced within their area
clumped pattern: where individuals are aggregated in patches; most common in nature
uniform pattern: often results from interactions among individuals of a population
random dispersion: individuals of a population are spaced in patternless, unpredictable way
intrinsic rate of increase: (r) an organism's inherent capacity to reproduce
exponential growth model: idealized picture of unregulated growth of a population
population-limiting factors: environmental factors that restrict population growth
logistic growth model: description of idealized population growth that is slowed by limiting factors
carrying capacity: (K) number of individuals in a population that the environment can just maintain with no net increase/decrease
density-dependent factors: population-limiting factors whose effect depend on population density (food supply, buildup of waste)
density-independent factors: population-limiting factors that are not affected by pop. density (weather, climate)
boom-and-bust cycle: rapid increase in population followed by sharp decline
life tables: used to predict how long an individual at a given age could be expected to live
Type I curve: few offspring but extensive good care; better ensure survival to survival
Type II curve: Mortality is more or less constant with life span
Type III curve: high death rates for young, but the ones who do survive have low death rates; usually large # of offspring