Population Dynamics
Definition
Population dynamics refers to the study of how populations of organisms change in size, density, and structure over time. It involves analyzing factors such as birth rates, death rates, immigration, emigration, and interactions with other species.
Analogy
Think of population dynamics as a dance party. The number of people on the dance floor represents the population size, while individuals joining or leaving the party represent immigration and emigration. The way people interact with each other during the dance symbolizes competition for resources within a population.
Related terms
Carrying Capacity: Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can sustainably support without causing significant environmental degradation.
Exponential Growth: Exponential growth occurs when a population increases at an accelerating rate due to abundant resources and favorable conditions.
Density-dependent Factors: Density-dependent factors are environmental influences that affect population growth differently depending on its density. Examples include competition for resources, predation pressure, and disease outbreaks.
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