Question

Describe the growth at various parts of the S-shaped curve of logistic growth.

Short answer

The logistic curve has three parts that describe the pattern of population over time: the initial phase where growth is slow as the population is still low, the exponential growth phase where the population increases rapidly due to a larger reproduction rate, and the stagnation phase where the growth rate slows to a halt as the population has reached its carrying capacity. These stages correspond to the establishment period, expansion stage, and equilibrium stage of the population, respectively.

Step-by-step solution

Identification of Phases

The logistic curve has three main phases: the initial phase, the exponential or growth phase, and the stagnation or decimal phase. These three sections represent the beginning, middle and end of the curve respectively.

Description of Initial Phase

In the initial phase, this also known as the 'establishment phase', the population grows slowly as this is the time when organisms start colonizing and reproduction has just begun. Because the population is still low, growth is slow.

Description of Exponential Growth Phase

In the exponential or growth phase, the population increases more rapidly. This is due to a larger number of individuals contributing to the birth rate, leading to a more rapid expansion of the population. This part of the curve steeply slopes upward.

Description of Stagnation Phase

Lastly, in the stagnation or 'equilibrium phase', the growth rate slows and finally stops, leading to a stable population. The population has reached its carrying capacity, which is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain. This part of the curve flattens out.