Population Game

A population is a group of organisms of one kind that lives in the same area. The size of a population (that is, the number of individuals in the group) may change greatly over a period of time. Among animals such as deer or field mice, populations may double, fluctuate slightly, decrease slowly, or “crash” to a very low number from one year to the next.

Many factors influence the size and location of a population, but three are of extreme importance: ( 1), competition for available food, (2) the size of the food supply, and (3) dispersal or migration to new feeding territories. The amount of food available to a population is probably the most crucial factor in determining an area’s carrying capacity. The carrying capacity is the greatest number of organisms that can be supported (carried) by an area without damaging it.

In this outdoor game, learners simulate a herd of deer trying to survive in an area called the “home range.” The game simulates five years in the life of a deer herd, with changing factors such as the addition of new young deer, the reduction of food sources, and dispersal of the herd to new feeding areas. Learners consider similarities and differences between deer and human populations over time, and the impact of humans feeding wild herds. A white board or large sheet of paper can serve as the data board.

Outdoor Biology Instructional Strategies (OBIS) is an outdoor program that offers young people fun and challenging opportunities to investigate ecological relationships in their local environment. OBIS was developed in the 1970s at the Lawrence Hall of Science to help adults (teachers, parents, community leaders) take young people outdoors to experience ecological principles in their local area. We have made several of the original 97 OBIS activities available digitally. These activities, which increase environmental awareness, can be used individually or in combination. These simple experiences then act as a gateway for children and adults to explore and understand their local environment.