3.5 Population Growth and Resource Availability
1 min read•december 29, 2022
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
Population Growth refers to the rate a population can grow at with given limitations by surrounding environments. More specifically, population growth rate documents how competition (other species), biome (environment), and self-sufficiency leads to growth in a certain population. Almost always, a species with a higher population growth rate will outlive a species with a lower rate.
Exponential Growth
An exponential growth is when populations grow at their intrinsic rate of increase (r) and are limited by resource increase by a fixed rate each year. This type of exponential growth is described using a J Curve because of the shape of the accelerated growth rate. An example of a species with an exponential growth is bacteria. The population size of bacteria grows exponentially because there are no limiting factors on their growth.
Diagram Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.
Logistic Growth
A logistic population growth model shows a population exponentially growing until environmental resistance such as limited factors make it reach its carrying capacity. The line at the top of the graph demonstrates this limit, and any population that exceeds it will go into overshoot. The population growth makes an S shaped curve.
Diagram Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.
Key Terms to Review (8)
Carrying capacity
: Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the ecosystem or depleting resources.Exponential Growth
: Exponential growth refers to a rapid and continuous increase in population size over time, where the growth rate is proportional to the current population. It occurs when resources are unlimited and there are no limiting factors.Intrinsic Rate of Increase
: The intrinsic rate of increase represents the maximum potential for reproduction and survival within a species under ideal conditions with unlimited resources.J Curve
: The J curve refers to a graph that shows exponential growth in population over time. It starts with a slow increase, followed by a rapid acceleration as the population grows exponentially.Logistic Growth
: Logistic growth refers to a pattern of population growth where the initial exponential increase slows down and eventually levels off due to environmental resistance factors such as limited resources, competition, predation, or disease.Overshoot
: Overshoot refers to a situation where the population of a species exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, leading to negative consequences such as resource depletion and environmental degradation.Population Growth Rate
: The population growth rate refers to the rate at which a population increases or decreases over a specific period of time, taking into account births, deaths, and migration.S Curve
: The S curve is a graphical representation of population growth that shows how populations initially grow slowly, then rapidly accelerate, before eventually leveling off due to limiting factors such as resource availability or competition.3.5 Population Growth and Resource Availability
1 min read•december 29, 2022
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
Karla Jauregui Sandoval
Population Growth refers to the rate a population can grow at with given limitations by surrounding environments. More specifically, population growth rate documents how competition (other species), biome (environment), and self-sufficiency leads to growth in a certain population. Almost always, a species with a higher population growth rate will outlive a species with a lower rate.
Exponential Growth
An exponential growth is when populations grow at their intrinsic rate of increase (r) and are limited by resource increase by a fixed rate each year. This type of exponential growth is described using a J Curve because of the shape of the accelerated growth rate. An example of a species with an exponential growth is bacteria. The population size of bacteria grows exponentially because there are no limiting factors on their growth.
Diagram Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.
Logistic Growth
A logistic population growth model shows a population exponentially growing until environmental resistance such as limited factors make it reach its carrying capacity. The line at the top of the graph demonstrates this limit, and any population that exceeds it will go into overshoot. The population growth makes an S shaped curve.
Diagram Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.
Key Terms to Review (8)
Carrying capacity
: Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the ecosystem or depleting resources.Exponential Growth
: Exponential growth refers to a rapid and continuous increase in population size over time, where the growth rate is proportional to the current population. It occurs when resources are unlimited and there are no limiting factors.Intrinsic Rate of Increase
: The intrinsic rate of increase represents the maximum potential for reproduction and survival within a species under ideal conditions with unlimited resources.J Curve
: The J curve refers to a graph that shows exponential growth in population over time. It starts with a slow increase, followed by a rapid acceleration as the population grows exponentially.Logistic Growth
: Logistic growth refers to a pattern of population growth where the initial exponential increase slows down and eventually levels off due to environmental resistance factors such as limited resources, competition, predation, or disease.Overshoot
: Overshoot refers to a situation where the population of a species exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, leading to negative consequences such as resource depletion and environmental degradation.Population Growth Rate
: The population growth rate refers to the rate at which a population increases or decreases over a specific period of time, taking into account births, deaths, and migration.S Curve
: The S curve is a graphical representation of population growth that shows how populations initially grow slowly, then rapidly accelerate, before eventually leveling off due to limiting factors such as resource availability or competition.
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