Under ideal conditions, a population can grow at an
exponential
growth
rate
, (
r
) assuming
birth
rate is higher than
death
rate.
Eventually the growth is limited by the
carrying capacity
of the
environment
and becomes
logistic
.
This population starts with 500 individuals, 125 are born and 25 die the first year. What is the growth rate?
Net gain is 100 / 500, or 20% per year. This would yield 600 after 1 year, then 720, 864, and 1036.8 after 4 years.
Under ideal conditions, a population can grow at an exponential
growth rate,
(r) assuming birth rate is higher than death rate.