5.6 Population Dynamics FLASHCARD Review

Front

What is habitat fragmentation?

Back

The process where large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches, affecting the species living there.

Front

What is the consequence of habitat fragmentation on populations?

Back

Increased isolation, which can lead to reduced genetic diversity and increased vulnerability to extinction.

Front

What is emigration?

Back

The movement of individuals out of a population, which can lead to a decrease in population size.

Front

What is natality?

Back

The number of births in a population over a specific period, often expressed as a rate.

Front

What is a biotic factor?

Back

A living component of an ecosystem that affects the population, such as predation, competition, and disease.

Front

What is a density-dependent factor?

Back

A factor that affects population size in relation to the population's density, such as food availability and disease.

Front

What is a density-independent factor?

Back

A factor that affects population size regardless of the population's density, such as natural disasters.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

What is exponential growth?

Back

A growth pattern where the population size increases rapidly in proportion to its current size, typically when resources are unlimited.

Front

What is logistic growth?

Back

A growth pattern where the population grows rapidly initially but slows as it approaches the carrying capacity.