Name ________________________________________ Date ____________ Per __________
Quick Lab
Population Growth
You can learn a lot about a population by plotting its changes on a graph. In this activity, you will plot the
growth of a deer population in the North Georgia Mountains.
Prelab: Define the following terms see pages 104 & 105 in your text
Carrying capacity
Exponential growth
Logistical growth
Procedure
1. Plot the data from the table
2. Title the graph
3. Label the x-axis and y-axis
Name the dependent variable
______________________________
Name the independent variable
______________________________
Number of deer 1930-1985 (table 1)
Year
1930
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
Number of
individuals
30
50
98
175
250
273
201
159
185
205
194
203
Using the graph above answer the following analysis questions.
1. Does the population of deer increase logistically or exponentially? _______________________
2. Identify the years in which the population is growing fastest. _____________________________
3. How were you able to determine the answer to #2?
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. In what year did the population of deer begin first decrease? ________________________
5. Label the carrying Capacity on the graph.
6. What is the approximate carrying capacity of this population of deer? ______________________
7. List one biotic factor that may impact this population of deer. __________________________