BIOL 1108 Lecture Notes - Lecture 42: Exponential Growth, Metapopulation, Semelparity And Iteroparity
Document Summary
Our model of exponential growth needs to be modified to account for density dependent limiting factors. The growth of almost all natural populations follows a similar pattern. The maximum number of individuals that a habit can support is its carrying capacity, or k. Even for simple models, ecologists use sampling methods to estimate population size and density. Plots or transects to count individuals in a smaller area. Less direct methods like counting tracks or songs. Catch, mark, and release individuals, then sample again and use some. The more details we know about a population, the better we can model how it will math and probabilities to estimate total density change over time. The age structure of a population helps ecologists understand past changes and predict future changes in population size. The study of statistics such as birth rates, age or size structure, and distribution over time and environments.
