Understanding Population Ecology

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Population Ecology

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Study of populations in relation to their environment

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Population Density

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Number of individuals per unit area

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Carrying Capacity

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Maximum population size an environment can sustain

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Exponential Growth

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Population increase under ideal conditions

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Logistic Growth

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Population growth that levels off as resources become limited

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Limiting Factor

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Environmental factor that restricts population growth

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Density-Dependent Factors

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Factors that affect population based on its size (e.g., disease)

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Density-Independent Factors

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Factors that affect population regardless of size (e.g., weather)

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Survivorship Curve

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Graph showing the number of individuals surviving at each age

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Population Dynamics

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Changes in population size and composition over time