Skip to Main Content

Introduction to Environmental Science, 2017 edition

revised edition

Chapter 2: Population Ecology by Dr. Caralyn Zehnder; revised by Dr. Christine Mutiti (2017)

Parts of this chapter have been modified from:

OpenStax College , Biology. OpenStax CNX. May 13, 2015 http://cnx.org/contents/185cbf87-c72e-48f5-b51e-f14f21b5eabd@9.85.

These sections were used:
OpenStax College, Population Demography. OpenStax CNX. Jun 24, 2013 http://cnx.org/contents/36b59ccb-df39-4ba6-85cc-52f3042c36ab@5.
OpenStax College, Environmental Limits to Population Growth. OpenStax CNX. Jun 21, 2013 http://cnx.org/contents/79ebaf1a-0e1a-4efb-9712-9bb41919a17d@4.
OpenStax College, Population Dynamics and Regulation. OpenStax CNX. Apr 10, 2013 http://cnx.org/contents/bd8d993b-f105-4122-80ef-83d1dcfacde2@3.

Chapter 2: Population Ecology Outline

2. 1  Population Ecology
2.2  Population Growth Models
        2.2.1 Exponential Growth
        2.2.2 Logistic Growth
2.3  Factors Limiting Population Growth
2.4  Life Tables and Survivorship

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter students will be able to:

  1. Define the variables in the exponential and logistic growth equations.
  2. Use the exponential and logistic equations to predict population growth rate.
  3. Compare the environmental conditions represented by the exponential growth model vs. the logistic growth model.
  4. Define carrying capacity and be able to label the carrying capacity on a graph.
  5. Compare density-dependent and density-independent birth and death rates.  Give examples of each.
  6. Interpret survivorship curves and give examples of organisms that would fit each type of curve.

Read the Chapter