I'm confused about what density dependent growth means and we're learning about it in ecology. I just need a straight up explanation, I've tried googling it but it only made me more confused.
Also, what is density independent mean? I need an explanation for that too please. :)
Also, what is density independent mean? I need an explanation for that too please. :)
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Density independent growth means that the rate of growth is not altered by the density of the population. Therefore, it can keep growing and growing.
Density dependent growth means that at some point the density starts to limit the rate of growth. This means that the rate of growth will start to slow down as the density increases beyond a certain point. This is the plateau part of the graph.
In reality, all populations experience density-dependent growth because we live in a finite space. But, these populations can be in their exponential growth stage when their densities are low.
Density dependent growth means that at some point the density starts to limit the rate of growth. This means that the rate of growth will start to slow down as the density increases beyond a certain point. This is the plateau part of the graph.
In reality, all populations experience density-dependent growth because we live in a finite space. But, these populations can be in their exponential growth stage when their densities are low.