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Population
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A group of organisms of the same species that inhabits a defined geographic area at the same time.
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Population density
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The number of individuals of a population that inhabit a certain unit of land or water area.
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Population dispersion
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How individuals of a population are spaced within a region.
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Random (population dispersion)
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The position of each individual is not determined or influenced by the other members of the population. Relatively uncommon.
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Clumping (population dispersion)
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The most common dispersion pattern. Individuals "flock together"
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Uniform (population dispersion)
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The members of the population are uniformly spaced throughout their geographic region. Often the result of competition for resources in an ecosystem.
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Biotic potential
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The amount that the population would grow if there were unlimited resources in its environment.
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Carrying capacity (k)
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The maximum population size that can be supported by the available resources in the region.
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Rule of 70
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The time it takes for a population to double can be approximated by dividing 70 by the current growth rate of the population.
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R-selected
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Reproduce early in life and often have a high capacity for reproductive growth
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K-selected
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Reproduce later in life, produce fewer offspring and devote significant time and energy to the nurturing of their offspring.
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Boom-and-bust cycle
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Common among r-strategists. Rapid increase in the population and then an equally rapid drop off.
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Predator-prey cycle
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Bn
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