Lecture 16: Modeling Populations

Question 1

What is used to model population growth?

Answer 1

Birth and death rates. Immigration and emigration are difficult to track, so they are assumed to be constant.

Question 2

Define density-dependent factors

Answer 2

Inverse relationship as birth and death rates change when population density changes - usually controlled by biotic factors

Example: self-thinning in plants

Question 3

Define density-independent factors

Answer 3

Birth and death rates do not change when population density changes - usually controlled by abiotic factors.

Example: windstorm and wildfires