10 Thurs Oct 1: Density dependence and logistic growth

DUE DATE: Friday Oct 9

10.1 Required reading

Vandermeer, J.H., Goldberg, D.E., 2013. Population Ecology: First Principles (Second Edition). Princeton University Press, Princeton, United States. p9-17. Link

10.2 Questions

1. What is the equation for continous time logistic growth in its classic form? Define all the symbols in the equation by writing their meanings in words. Can \(K\) be negative? [3 marks]

2. What does dN/dt mean? [1 mark]

3. Assume that \(N < K\). For what values of \(r\) will \(N\) increase over time? [1 mark]

4. Assume that \(r > 0\) and \(K > N\). Will \(N\) increase or decrease in size over time? [1 mark]

5. Assume that \(r,K \neq 0\). For what values of \(N\) is the population size constant (i.e., not changing over time)? [2 marks]

6. What is the main difference between exponential and logistic growth? [1 mark]