Logistic growth is a type of population growth that occurs when resources are limited, setting a maximum number that the environment can support, known as the carrying capacity/45%3A_Population_and_Community_Ecology/45.02%3A_Environmental_Limits_to_Population_Growth/45.2B%3A_Logistic_Population_Growth). In logistic growth, a populations per capita growth rate gets smaller and smaller as population size approaches the carrying capacity. This is in contrast to exponential growth, which occurs when a populations growth rate increases over time in proportion to the size of the population.

The logistic growth model is used to mathematically model logistic growth by modifying the equation for exponential growth, using a per capita growth rate that depends on population size and how close it is to carrying capacity. The formula used to calculate logistic growth adds the carrying capacity as a moderating force in the growth rate/45%3A_Population_and_Community_Ecology/45.02%3A_Environmental_Limits_to_Population_Growth/45.2B%3A_Logistic_Population_Growth).

Key points about logistic growth in biology include:

• Logistic growth produces an S-shaped curve, while exponential growth produces a J-shaped curve.
• Exponential growth is possible only when infinite natural resources are available, which is not the case in the real world/45%3A_Population_and_Community_Ecology/45.02%3A_Environmental_Limits_to_Population_Growth/45.2B%3A_Logistic_Population_Growth).
• Density-dependent limiting factors, such as resource availability, influence the carrying capacity.
• Logistic population growth is the most common kind of population growth and occurs when the species populations per capita growth rate is decreased as its size increases.

Overall, logistic growth is an important concept in population ecology that helps to explain how populations grow and are limited by their environment.