2.1.12—Population growth curves

J-shaped growth shows accelerating exponential increase; S-shaped growth slows toward K; boom–bust growth overshoots resources and crashes.

Link curve shape to limiting factors. A curve near K still has births and deaths; the net change is small because gains and losses balance.

Reindeer rise while lichen is abundant, deplete it, then crash after a severe winter: a boom–bust pattern.

No. It means net growth is near zero, with births/immigration balanced by deaths/emigration.

Leveling off is not biological stillness.