Column #1
This is the term for how quickly a population's size increases or decreases over a given period of time.
Rate of change
This term describes the maximum population size an environment can sustainably support.
Carrying capacity
This is the variable that a researcher intentionally changes in an experiment.
Independent variable
This is the variable that is measured or observed, and that responds to changes in the independent variable.
Dependent variable
This is what a negative rate of change means for a population.
The population is decreasing/declining
This term describes any resource or condition that restricts population growth, such as food, water, space, or predators.
Limiting factor
This type of relationship exists when one organism benefits kills and east the other, such as a lion and a wildebeest.
Predation (predator-prey relationship)
When an interaction between two organisms results in one being harmed.
A negative relationship/interaction
On a population graph, this feature of the line tells you the rate of change at any point.
The slope (steepness of the line)
When a population grows beyond carrying capacity, this often happens shortly after.
A sharp population decline (die-off)
On a graph, this axis is used to show the independent variable.
The x-axis (horizontal)
This is why scientists model ecosystems like the Serengeti using tools like SageModeler before making real-world decisions.
To predict how changes will affect the whole system before intervening
A population graph that curves and levels off, rather than rising in a straight line, suggests this is happening to the rate of change.
It is slowing down / reaching carrying capacity
On a population graph, this is what the line typically does once a population reaches carrying capacity.
It levels off / plateaus
Name one limiting factor that could affect a reintroduced wild dog population.
Prey availability, competition with other predators, disease, human conflict, space
This was the general goal of reintroducing African wild dogs to Liwonde National Park.
To restore ecological balance / control prey populations that had grown unchecked
If a wildebeest population grows from 1,000 to 1,200 in 2 years, what is the rate of change per year?
100 wildebeest per year
Name two examples of limiting factors that could affect a wildebeest population.
Any two of: food/grass availability, water, predators, disease, space
In a study observing how rainfall affects wildebeest population size, identify the independent and dependent variable.
IV = rainfall amount, DV = wildebeest population size
If a predator like the African wild dog is removed from an ecosystem, this often happens to prey populations.
They grow rapidly / become overpopulated