Lionfish Invasion: Density-Dependent Population Dynamics

In this Click & Learn, students explore mathematical models that describe how populations change over time and apply these models to the invasive lionfish population in the Bahamas. They also use data from other species to learn how density-dependent factors limit population size.

The Click & Learn includes realistic and actual data from lionfish and other case studies. It provides opportunities to use the logistic growth model, graph data, and interpret figures from published scientific research.

The accompanying worksheet and “Case Studies Handouts” document guide students’ exploration. Some of the questions in these documents are identical to those embedded in the Click & Learn.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.