Chapter Objectives

Chapter 18

Population Ecology

1. Define the terms population ecology, population, and population density.

2. Explain what the biotic potential means for a species

3. Compare the assumptions and equations for exponential growth and logistic growth.  Describe examples of each.

4. Explain  intrinsic rate of increase, population limiting factors, and carrying capacity.

5. Distinguish between density-dependent and density-independent factors.

6. From the case study on page 313.  How can a predator change guppy life history?

7. Describe the growth of the human population over the last 10,000 years.  What is the projection for the year 2050?