8.3 Population Ecology

Describe factors that influence growth dynamics of populations.

• Populations comprise individual organisms of the same species that interact with one another and with the environment in complex ways.
• Many adaptations in organisms are related to obtaining and using energy and matter in a particular environment.
  • i. Population growth dynamics depend on birth rate, death rate, and population size. Relevant equation: Population Growth— dN dt BD=− where dt = chage in time B = birth rate D = death rate N = population size dN = change in population size