Population Growth

Lag phase:
- birth rate is relatively low
- death rate is low
- low numbers so the increase per generation is also low
- population increase is slow at this point
- organisms are adapting to the environment somehow.

Log phase (exponential phase):
- birth rate is high
- death rate is low
- population increases rapidly
- resources will normally be plentiful and wastes have not accumulate to a significant level.

Stationary phase:
- birth rate is high
- death rate is high
- population size tends to remain stable (high numbers)
- resources are now limited (increased competition) and wastes accumulate and may affect the organisms.

Death phase (decline phase):
- birth rate is low
- death rate is very high
- population numbers fall
- resources are now very limited and wastes may be having a large effect on the organisms.