Logistic Growth

Bozeman Science2 minutes read

Logistic growth occurs after exponential growth as populations reach a carrying capacity, influenced by factors like birth rates and resources. Different species exhibit varying growth strategies, with some investing in slow reproduction rates and parental care to avoid boom and bust cycles.

Insights

  • Logistic growth occurs after exponential growth in populations when reaching a carrying capacity, which is the maximum population size an ecosystem can support.
  • Different species exhibit varying growth strategies, with R-selected species reproducing rapidly and facing boom and bust cycles, while K-selected species have slower growth rates and invest in parental care to maintain stability.

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Recent questions

  • What is logistic growth?

    Logistic growth follows exponential growth in populations, occurring after a population reaches a carrying capacity or crashes. It is a type of growth that takes into account environmental limits and resources available in an ecosystem.

  • How is population growth determined?

    Population growth is determined by the growth rate (r), which is influenced by births and deaths within a population. The growth rate plays a crucial role in determining how quickly a population can increase in size.

  • What is carrying capacity?

    Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size an ecosystem can support based on the available resources like food, water, and shelter. It represents the limit to which a population can grow sustainably within an environment.

  • What are r-selected and K-selected species?

    R-selected species reproduce rapidly, leading to boom and bust cycles, while K-selected species have slower growth rates and invest in parental care. These strategies are adaptations to different environmental conditions and reproductive strategies.

  • How do humans exhibit population growth?

    Humans exhibit gradual exponential growth due to investing in offspring and aiming for a stable carrying capacity to avoid boom and bust cycles. This approach contrasts with other species that may have different reproductive strategies based on their environmental conditions.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Population growth: exponential to logistic transition.

  • Logistic growth follows exponential growth in populations, occurring after a population reaches a carrying capacity or crashes.
  • Population growth is determined by the growth rate (r), which is influenced by births and deaths.
  • Exponential growth occurs rapidly when the growth rate (r) is greater than zero.
  • Darwin observed that species like elephants, with slow reproduction rates, cannot sustain exponential growth.
  • Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size an ecosystem can support, determined by available resources like grass for rabbits.
  • Models like Minecraft and NetLogo demonstrate logistic growth, showing how populations reach a limit.
  • The equation for exponential growth is dN/dt = rN, where r is the growth rate and N is the population size.
  • Transitioning to logistic growth involves modifying the equation to include the carrying capacity (K).
  • R-selected species reproduce rapidly, leading to boom and bust cycles, while K-selected species have slower growth rates and invest in parental care.
  • Humans exhibit gradual exponential growth due to investing in offspring, aiming for a stable carrying capacity to avoid boom and bust cycles.

10:38

Slow Growth, High Offspring: Nature's Strategy

  • Some species grow slowly but produce many offspring
  • Trees are an example of slow growth with high offspring production
  • Logistic growth involves rapid growth followed by reaching a carrying capacity due to environmental limits
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