Glossary
Carrying capacity (K)
The maximum number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can sustainably support given its available resources.
Example:
A small pond can only support a certain number of fish due to limited oxygen and food, representing its carrying capacity.
Exponential growth
A pattern of population growth where the population increases at a fixed percentage per unit of time, resulting in a J-shaped curve when resources are unlimited.
Example:
In a new, undisturbed habitat with abundant food, a bacterial colony might experience exponential growth, doubling its numbers rapidly.
Logistic growth
A pattern of population growth that starts exponentially but then slows down and levels off as the population approaches its carrying capacity, forming an S-shaped curve.
Example:
A deer population introduced to an island will initially grow fast, but eventually, its growth will exhibit logistic growth as it approaches the island's resource limits.
Population
A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific geographical area.
Example:
A herd of wild horses living in the grasslands of Mongolia represents a population of Equus ferus caballus.
Population crash (Die-off)
A rapid and significant decrease in a population's size, often occurring after an overshoot due to resource depletion or environmental degradation.
Example:
After a severe drought, a local bird population crash might occur as water sources disappear and food becomes scarce.
Population overshoot
A temporary state where a population's size exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment.
Example:
If a deer population overshoot occurs, they might consume all available vegetation, leading to widespread starvation.