Ecology
Population
A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time, capable of interbreeding. Populations are the units on which natural selection acts.
Biological Context
Population size, density, and growth rate determine species success. Populations fluctuate due to birth, death, immigration, and emigration. Small populations face extinction risks from genetic drift and inbreeding. Population dynamics drive ecological and evolutionary change.
Business Application
Customer populations, employee populations, competitor populations—business ecology involves tracking population dynamics. Market share is relative population size. Population growth models (exponential, logistic) apply to customer acquisition.