Avoiding bias—a random number generator helps to ensure population sampling is free from bias.
* Sampling techniques are used to estimate population size.
* The exponential growth pattern occurs in an ideal, unlimited environment.
* Population growth slows as a population reaches the carrying capacity of the environment.
* The phases shown in the sigmoid curve can be explained by relative rates of natality, mortality, immigration and emigration.
* Limiting factors can be top down or bottom up.
Applications
* Evaluating the methods used to estimate the size of commercial stock of marine resources.
* Use of the capture-mark-release-recapture method to estimate the population size of an animal species.
* Discussion of the effect of natality, mortality, immigration and emigration on population size.
* Analysis of the effect of population size, age and reproductive status on sustainable fishing practices.
*Bottom-up control of algal blooms by shortage of nutrients and top-down control by herbivory.
Skills
Modelling the growth curve using a simple organism such as yeast or species of Lemna.