POPULATION

What is a population? All the members of the same species that live in the same area. 3 Characteristics of any population: 1. Population Density 2. Population Growth Rate 3. Geographic Distribution

Population Density

What is the Population Density of Kentucky?

Geographic Distribution The range, or distribution, of the members of a population. Clumped Uniform Random Usually determined by the availability of resources According to the map, where do you find the greatest number of individuals? Why do you think larger amounts of individuals choose to reside in cities?

Growth Rate

Migration Immigration: the movement of individuals into an area Causes an increase in population Emigration: the movement of individuals out of an area Causes a decrease in population What are some factors that may lead to Emigration? Immigration?

Types of Population Growth: Exponential 1.Exponential Growth: When the individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate Growth of a population under ideal conditions An abundance of resources (i.e. food, water, shelter); lack of disease; no major natural disasters, lack of predators, etc. Takes on the shape of a “J” Referred to as a “J-Curve” If exponential growth occurs, it usually does not last for very long

Types of Population Growth: Logistic 2. Logistic Growth: when a population’s growth slows or stops following a period of exponential growth Shaped like an “S” Referred to as an “S-Curve” Why would population growth slow down? Population growth will always slow or stop as resources become less available. Number of births and number of deaths are getting closer to one another

Carrying Capacity The maximum number of individuals in a given population, in which the environment can support The point at which the average growth rate reaches zero Can the carrying capacity of a population change?