Exponential Growth Equation: ΔN=rNi (i=initial, f=final)

r (Growth Rate) Generation Ni (Population Size) ΔN Nf

1 1 100 100 200
2 200 200 400
Ni (Initial Population Size) 3 400 400 800
100 4 800 800 1600
5 1600 1600 3200
6 3200 3200 6400
7 6400 6400 12800
8 12800 12800 25600
9 25600 25600 51200
10 51200 51200 102400

Try changing the values in the green boxes and

watch what happens to the growth curves. We
start with a growth rate of 2, which means that the
population doubles each generation. What
happens with a growth rate of 1? What happens
with a growth rate of 0.9? What will happen if we
follow this population for more generations?

Logistic Growth Equation: ΔN=rNi((K-Ni)/K) (i=initial, f=final)

r (Growth Rate) Generation Ni (Population Size) rN (K-N)/K
1 1 100 100 0.6
2 160 160 0.36
Ni (initial Population size) 3 218 218 0.1296
100 4 246 246 0.01679616
5 250 250 0.00028211099
K (carrying capacity) 6 250 250 7.95866112E-08
250 7 250 250 6.36646291E-15
8 250 250 0
9 250 250 0
 10 250 250 0

Try growth rates of 0.5, 0.9, 1.1, 2, 3. What

happens ? Change the carrying capacity to 100,
101, 200, and 1000. What happens? Do you see
how the (K-N)/K term is adjusts the population by
a percentage? What happens when the population
approaches or exceeds its carrying capacity?
 Exponential Growth Equation ΔN
60000

50000

40000

Population Size
30000

20000

10000

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Generation

nal)
ΔN Nf Logistic Growth Equation ΔN=rN((K
60 160
58 218 300
28 246
4 250
0 250 250
0 250
0 250
0 250 200
0 250
Population Size

150
 250

200

0 250

Population Size
150

100

50

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Generation
rowth Equation ΔN=rN

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Generation

Equation ΔN=rN((K-N)/K)
 5 6 7 8 9 10

Generation