Population Dynamics
What four factors determine population growth rate?
Birthrate, deathrate, immigration, emigration
What is a limiting factor?
A biotic or abiotic factor that restricts population size
What is biodiversity?
The variety of life in an ecosystem
What is ecological succession?
The change in an ecosystem when one community replaces another
What must be present for secondary succession to occur?
Soil
When is a population growing?
When birthrate and immigration are greater than deathrate and emigration
Give one abiotic limiting factor.
Water, sunlight, weather, fire, nutrients
Is high biodiversity good or bad for ecosystems?
Good
How many types of succession are there?
Two
What is a Pioneer Species?
First Organism to colonize a new habitat
When is a population decreasing?
When deathrate and emigration are greater than birthrate and immigration
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum number of organisms an environment can support
Why does biodiversity help ecosystems survive change?
More species allow adaptation and resilience
What type of succession occurs where no life existed before?
Primary succession
Name one event that leads to secondary succession
Forest fire, flood, logging, hurricane
How does immigration affect population size?
It increases population size
What happens to populations near carrying capacity?
They tend to stabilize
How might low biodiversity affect recovery after a disturbance?
Slower or less successful recovery
What type of succession occurs where life existed before?
Secondary succession
Why does primary succession take longer?
Soil must be formed from bare rock
A population has a high birthrate and high emigration. What could happen to its size?
It may stay stable or decrease depending on which factor is greater
Why can’t populations grow forever?
Resources are limited, increasing competition and deathrate
Why are ecosystems with high biodiversity more stable?
Many species fill different roles and support balance
Which type of succession happens faster and why?
Which type of succession happens faster and why?
Name a common pioneer species
Lichen