Chapter 48 Outline

Ecology of Populations

Population growth curves, r- and k- strategists, and human population growth are topics covered in this chapter.

Chapter Outline

In this chapter outline, the learning objectives and the selected key terms are given for each major head in the chapter.

Populations Tend to Grow (p. 840)

1. Calculate the rate of natural increase for a population when provided with the

number of individuals in the population, the birthrate, and the death rate.

2. Contrast a J-shaped growth curve with an S-shaped

growth curve.

3. Indicate which parts of an S-shaped growth curve represent biotic

potential, environmental resistance, and carrying capacity.

4. Give examples of density-independent and density-dependent effects of

environmental resistance.

5. Contrast three likely types of survivorship curves for a population.

6. Contrast three common age structure diagrams for a population.

Selected Key Terms: ecology, population, exponential growth, biotic potential,

carrying capacity, environmental resistance, survivorship, age structure diagram

Strategies for Existing (p. 844)

7. Contrast an r-strategist population with a K-strategist population in regard to

growth curves, survivorship curves, and age structure diagrams.

r-strategist, K-strategist

The Human Population Is Growing (p. 845)

8. Describe the growth curve for the world's human population.

9. Contrast the demography of more developed and less developed countries;

tell why both types of countries contribute heavily to resource consumption.

demographic transition

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