Exponential Population Growth Equation : dN/dT = rN,
where r= intantaneous rate of increase or intrinsic rate of increase. We also can represent it as r = (b -d) where b= per capita birth rate and d= percapita death rate.
N = population size
But,
Logistic Growth Equation is
density dependent equation having some assumptions:
1. Unlike exp growth eq, resources for population growth, survival and reproduction are limited.
2. b
decreases due to limited resources and intraspecific competition.
3. d
increases as population grows due to parasitism, predation, competition etc types of interaction.
Now, model the decreased b :
b' = b - aN where b = birth rate in uncrowded ideal conditions and a= strength of density dependence, i.e. if a is large, b' drops at each individual added to the population, if a= 0 b'=b, regardless of the N. Larger N, lower the b' and if N come closer to 0, b' tends towards b.
Similarly, model increased d:
d' = d+cNNow, dN/dT= (b'-d')N
=> dN/dT= [(b-aN)-(d+cN)]N
=> dN/dT= [(b-d)-(a+c)N]N
=> dN/dT= {(b-d)/(b-d)} [(b-d)-(a+c)N]N
=> dN/dT= (b-d)[1-{(a+c)/(b-d)}N]N {as b-d=r}
=>
dN/dT= rN[1-N/K]
Here, we introduce a new constant K by compiling a,c,b,and d four constants. But it has another biological interpretations. K is defined by the maximum number of the individuals supported in a population, growing according to logistic growth model. It reflects the resource availability of that environment. From the equation, we can establish a relationship between N and K.
1. If N<<K, dN/dT is high, tends towards exp growth.
2. If N>K, dN/dT is negative, population growth is negative and declines towards K.
3. If N=K, dN/dT=0. Population stops to grow. It is denoted as the
stable equilibrium.
hence, K is called the
carrying capacityPlease, now compare the graphs of both models and make your own decisions.
Ref: A primer to ecology: Gotelli