Students make computations, construct graphs and interpret results. Population growth can be expressed in linear or exponential rates. Linear growth is constant. Exponential growth increases at a given rate during a period of time.
Populations have the reproduction potential to increase at an exponential rate.
With no limiting factors, fish populations would increase at an exponential rate. However, in a working ecosystem fish population growth is limited by such factors as competition, food availability, predation, climate conditions, and exploitation. Students should form an understanding of how limiting factors affect fish populations. If no limiting factors affected the fish, the numbers of male and female trout are equal. Females produce 20 eggs a year, all of which hatch with equal numbers of males and females.