THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF AN ENVIRONMENT DEFINITIONS Carrying

THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF AN ENVIRONMENT

DEFINITIONS: Carrying Capacity: the number of organisms that can be supported by an area (how many living things can live somewhere and have their needs met) Exponential Growth to Carrying Capacity: the doubling of a population until it reaches the total number that can survive in the area

GRAPH: Sketch the shape of a exponential growth to carrying capacity graph: �Use your definitions!!!! �Use your prior knowledge!!!! �Use your math knowledge!!!! �Use your notes!!!!

ADJUST YOUR SKETCH! EXPONENTIAL GROWTH TO CARRYING CAPACITY GRAPH : “J curve” The population growth becomes steady (levels off) at the capacity that can survive

CRASH! Exponential Growth to Carrying Capacity With Population Crash: 1. Doubling of a population until it reaches the total number that can survive in the area (carrying capacity). 2. Followed by a dramatic drop in population size that occurs when a population exceeds its carrying capacity.

GRAPH: Sketch the shape of a exponential growth to carrying capacity with population crash graph: �Use your definitions!!!! �Use your prior knowledge!!!! �Use your math knowledge!!!! �Use your notes!!!!

ADJUST YOUR SKETCH! EXPONENTIAL GROWTH TO CARRYING CAPACITY WITH POPULATION GROWTH GRAPH : “J curve” The population growth becomes steady (levels off) at the capacity that can survive. The dramatic drop in the population size. Crash!!!

ACTUAL SITUATION: In 1944, 29 reindeer were brought to St. Matthew Island, AK, an uninhabited island. Initially, there were abundant food sources, and the reindeer population increased dramatically. There were no predators to decrease the population. About 20 years later, the reindeer had overshot the food carrying capacity, and there was a sudden, massive die-off. About 99% of the reindeer died of starvation.