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Ecol-3
Population Patterns
Term | Definition |
---|---|
exponential growth | population growth when resources are unlimited; shown as a J-shaped curve |
logistic growth | population growth when resources are limited; shown as an S-shaped curve |
carrying capacity | the maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported in an ecosystem; where logistic growth curve "levels out" |
competitive exclusion | principle that says that if 2 species attempt to occupy the same niche, one species will outcompete the other and drive it to extinction/emigration |
immigration | occurs when individuals move IN to an area, increasing the population |
emigration | occurs when individuals move OUT of an area, reducing the population |
density-dependent | factors affecting a population that have a greater impact when organisms are crowded together (example: food availability) |
density-independent | factors affecting a population that are no different in crowded or sparsely-populated areas |
biodiversity | The genetic, species, and ecosystem variety of life |