1.
Abundance: Also termed density. The number of individuals of a given species per unit area.
2.
Acceleration phase: Stage of population growth indicated by the start of the upward-turning section of a curve denoting population growth.
3.
Carrying capacity: Stabilised size reached by a given population in a given habitat.
4.
Closed population: Population not subject to migration.
5.
Community: A group of populations living and interacting with one another in a particular environment.
6.
Deceleration phase: Stage of population growth indicated by the flattening out of an S-shaped curve as the carrying capacity is reached.
7.
Density: Also termed abundance. The number of indivuals of a given species per unit area.
8.
Density dependent: Factors whose impact on members of a population is dependent on the size of the population.
9.
Density independent: Factors whose impact on members of a population is not affected by population size.
10.
Distribution: Pattern of spread of members of a population. May be uniform, clumped or random.
11.
Environmental resistance: The limiting effect of environmental conditions on the growth of a population.
12.
Exponential growth: Population growth whereby the rate of population growth increases as the size of the population increases.
13.
J shaped curve: Plot of population size over time under conditions of exponential growth.
14.
K-selected: Species characterised by less frequent breeding and fewer offspring. Typically found in stable environments where carrying capacity has or is about to be reached.
15.
Lag phase: Stage of population growthindicated by the initial flat section of a curve. In this period population size is small and growth rates are low.
16.
Logistic growth: Model of population growth whereby growth eventualy slows as the population reaches carrying capacity.
17.
Migration rate: Rate of immigration into and emigration out of a given population.
18.
Open population: Population subject to migration.
19.
Population: A group of individuals of the same species occupying a particular geographic area.
20.
Population dynamics: The scientific study of changes in population size over time.
21.
Quadrat: Any of a group of small, usually rectangular plots of land arranged for close study of the distribution of plants or animals in an area.
22.
r-selected: Species which breed often and produce large numbers of offspring. Typically found where conditions are untable.
23.
S shaped curve: Plot of population size over time under conditions where resource availability limits population size to the carrying capacity of the habitat.
24.
Sampling: Technique used to estimate population size, based on examination of part of a given population.
25.
Species richness: The number of populations within a given community.
26.
Total count: Also called a true census. A count of all members of a species in a given area.
27.
Transect: A sampling technique whereby various species present at regular intervals along a line crossing the area of study are recorded.
28.
True census: A total count of all members of a species in a given population. Also called a total count.
29.
Zero population growth: A stable population with no net growth. Birth and immigration rates are matched by deaths and emigration.
