Exponential Growth
dN/dt = rN
where:
- r is the intrinsic growth rate: (births - deaths)/N
- N is the population size
Logistic Growth
dN/dt = rN((K-N)/K)
where:
- K is the carrying capacity, the maximum population size that can be sustained by the environment
- Building a simple computer model of logistic growth
r and K Selection
- r selected organisms produce many offspring = a high reproduction rate (r)
- K selected organisms produce few offspring, but put significant resources into ensuring their survival