J curve can be defined as the j shaped growth curve that graphically represents a situation in a new environment where the population density of an organism increases at an exponential rate. This logarithmic growth abruptly halts due to some environmental resistance, such as changes in seasonal patterns, cessation of the breeding season of the organism concerned, etc.
This article will discuss the J curve in the context of the IAS Exam.
The candidates can go through the relevant topics useful for their upcoming exams from the links provided below:
What is a J Curve?
A rapid increase in growth is witnessed in a population when the organism experiences a favourable condition. The j curve effect can be mathematically expressed by the following equation:
dN/dT=r
Where N= number of individuals present in the population;
T= time required;
r= the biotic potential constant of the organism under study.
And finally, the dN/dT represents the rate of change in the population size.
Examples of J Curve
One of the j curve examples can be observed in the boost and boom cycle represented by algal bloom and some insects such as fruit flies. Many insects show logarithmic growth during the rainy season, which is followed by a sudden decrease in the insect population by the end of the season.
Corresponding to the J-shape, the population achieves a peak value and ultimately crashes. The population tends to increase till a sufficient amount of food is present in the environment of the organism, which in turn helps in the continuation of breeding. An overwhelming increase in population causes the extinction of food materials originally present in the environment. This cessation of food supply results in abruptly stopping the exponential population growth. Two distinct phases are observed in a j shaped curve:
- Lag phase: Witnessed at the lower end of the graphical representation;
- Log phase: This is the spike in population growth.
Candidates can enhance their UPSC exam preparation by attempting UPSC Previous Years Question Papers now!! To complement your preparation for the upcoming exam, check the following links: |
|---|
The j Curve Effect
The j curve can be observed in human population growth or other activity, for instance, energy use in a population. The j curve is also referred to as the ‘hockey stick curve’ due to the flat portion of the graph followed by a rapid spike. The dramatic rise in the population may is not indicative of any recent acceleration of the growth rate in the concerned population.
Another significant curve that graphically represents population growth is the ‘s-shaped curve’ or ‘sigmoid curve’. The s-shaped curve is represented by three distinct phases:
- The lag phase: When the population is increasing very slowly after the introduction of a few organisms into the environment, the curve rises positively, marking the lag phase.
- The logarithmic phase: The population increase becomes very rapid during the middle phase.
- A phase of negative acceleration: the population increase is slowed down, and equilibrium is attained in the last phase.
The sigmoid growth in a population can be represented by the following mathematical formula:
dN/dT= rN(K-N/K)
Where K-N/K represents environmental resistance.
Both types of population growth curves occur over a period of time. The prime point of difference between the j curve and the sigmoid curve is as follows:
- The j-shaped growth is observed in populations with an abundance of food supply and favourable environmental conditions; on the other hand, sigmoid or logistic growth is observed in populations with a scarcity of food materials.
- An abrupt halt is observed in the j curve, and thus no stationary phase is obtained. A stationary phase, however, is seen in the sigmoid curve.
- The j curve keeps into account the carrying capacity, though it is not the case with the s-shaped curve.
The j curve effect will be observed in an ideal environment with unlimited resources and zero competition among the organisms. Due to the absence of competition, there is no limit on the geometric growth rate. The lag phase of the j shape occurs due to a shortage of reproducing organisms. The increase in the number of organisms in the curve attains a dramatic rise. The biotic potential determines the maximal growth rate for the concerned population.
Furthermore, candidates can learn more about the detailed UPSC Syllabus and exam pattern for the preliminary and mains phase of the examination in the linked article. Analysing the syllabus will help candidates accordingly schedule a study plan.
Also, all government exam aspirants can check the best Preparation Strategy for Competitive Exams in the linked article.
Frequently Asked Questions on the J Curve
Q1
In what kind of environment can we observe the j curve?
J shaped growth curves are witnessed in a population with an abundant food supply and favourable environmental conditions. The environment should not elicit any form of competition among the organisms that may result in an unnatural decrease in the population size.
Q2
What are the major differences between a j curve and a sigmoid curve?
Sigmoid curves are observed in a population facing scarcity of food materials. The s-shaped curves obtain a stationary phase after a peaked growth, but no stationary growth occurs in j curves.
Q3
Where can we observe j shaped growth in a population?
Such growths are observed in very small regions or areas that are newly colonised by a species. For instance, the growth of fruit flies on bananas attains maximum growth and then abruptly falls at the end.
For more information about upcoming Government Exams, visit the linked article. More exam-related preparation materials will be found through the links given below:
FAQs
A J-curve depicts a trend that starts with a sharp drop and is followed by a dramatic rise. The trendline ends in an improvement from the starting point. In economics, the J-curve shows how a currency depreciation causes a severe worsening of a trade imbalance followed by a substantial improvement.
Does the J curve have a carrying capacity? ›
In a J-shaped curve, in contrast, there is no carrying capacity and the population continues to grow exponentially.
What is the equation for the J shaped curve? ›
It may be summarized mathematically as: dN/dt = rN (with a definite limit on N) where N is the number of individuals in the population, t is time, and r is a constant representing the intrinsic rate of increase (biotic potential) of the organism concerned.
What is the J curve quizlet? ›
What is the J Curve? The J Curve shows the response of net exports to a real depreciation, in which at first net exports decline but later increase.
What does the J-curve represent consistent growth also known as? ›
The J-shaped curve is defined as the growth curve or commonly known as an exponential growth curve.
What does a population graph with a J-curve show? ›
The increase in human population or other activity (such as energy use) is often described as a extreme exponential curve. These are described as a "J" or "hockey stick" to emphasize a flat portion followed by a drammatic rise.
What causes J-curve population growth? ›
In logistic growth, a population's per capita growth rate gets smaller and smaller as population size approaches a maximum imposed by limited resources in the environment, known as the carrying capacity ( K). Exponential growth produces a J-shaped curve, while logistic growth produces an S-shaped curve.
What is an example of a population that shows a J-shaped growth pattern? ›
Examples of J Curve
One of the j curve examples can be observed in the boost and boom cycle represented by algal bloom and some insects such as fruit flies. Many insects show logarithmic growth during the rainy season, which is followed by a sudden decrease in the insect population by the end of the season.
Why is it called the J-curve? ›
The J curve line progresses to a point where it is higher than the point where it started from. This line forms the letter J, hence, the name J-curve. J Curve refers to a line that shows a loss that is immediately followed by a dramatic gain.
What is the difference between J-curve and as curve? ›
Two types of population growth patterns may occur depending on specific environmental conditions: An exponential growth pattern (J curve) occurs in an ideal, unlimited environment. A logistic growth pattern (S curve) occurs when environmental pressures slow the rate of growth.
J-shaped growth curve A curve on a graph that records the situation in which, in a new environment, the population density of an organism increases rapidly in an exponential (logarithmic) form, but then stops abruptly as environmental resistance (e.g. seasonality) or some other factor (e.g. the end of the breeding ...
What does the J curve effect describe quizlet? ›
The "J curve" effect describes: the short run tendency for a country's balance of trade to deteriorate even while its currency is depreciating.
What are the 3 types of population growth? ›
And while every population pyramid is unique, most can be categorized into three prototypical shapes: expansive (young and growing), constrictive (elderly and shrinking), and stationary (little or no population growth).
Is there a limit to population growth in a J shaped population? ›
There is no competition or limit to the exponential growth. The population starts small and grows rapidly as time progresses, giving a J-type exponential growth curve.
What is another name for J shaped population growth? ›
J-shaped growth curve shows only exponential growth, so known as an exponential growth curve. The S-shaped growth curve is sigmoid. Exponential growth takes place when the growth of the population slows and then stops.
What is a real life example of the J-curve? ›
Real World Example of the J Curve
Look no further than Japan in 2013 for a practical example of the J Curve. The country's trade balance deteriorated after a sudden depreciation in the yen, owing mostly to the fact that the volume of exports and imports took time to respond to price signals.
What is J-curve risk? ›
What is the J-curve? In private markets, the J-curve is the term commonly used to describe the tendency for investors in closed-end funds to experience negative returns in the early years of a fund's life, particularly with primary (newly formed) fund investments.
What is the J-curve of transformation? ›
The “J” Curve of Change represents five (5) stages of change that can be mapped out from a performance/productivity stance over a series of time (See image). The J Curve of Change Management consists of a series of troughs and peaks, but oddly enough begins with a relatively morose and non-descript path of performance.
What causes the J shaped growth curve represents exponential population growth? ›
1: Exponential population growth: When resources are unlimited, populations exhibit exponential growth, resulting in a J-shaped curve. When resources are limited, populations exhibit logistic growth. In logistic growth, population expansion decreases as resources become scarce.
What is the J-curve in private equity? ›
In private equity, the J-curve is used to describe the shape of a fund's anticipated performance, as plotted on a graph, from inception through to exit. This shape represents low returns at the start, followed by a gradual increase and recovery to a point that is much higher than at the start.
In an economy, a J-curve indicates currency devaluation and its impact on the nation's trade balance; it falls initially and then gradually rises—resembling a J-shape. The sharp fall is caused by a trade deficit.
What type of growth is J-curve? ›
An exponential growth pattern (J curve) occurs in an ideal, unlimited environment. A logistic growth pattern (S curve) occurs when environmental pressures slow the rate of growth.
What does a J-shaped growth phase reveal? ›
| J-shaped curve | S-shaped curve |
|---|
| 1.It represents exponential growth . | 1.It represents a sigmoidal growth of the population |
| 2.It has limited resources. | 2. It has unlimited resources. |
| 3.It consists of lag and log phases . | 3.It also includes a deceleration phase. |
1 more rowJ – Shaped Curve: In the case of J-shaped growth form, the population grows exponentially, and after attaining the peak value, the population may abruptly crash. This increase in population is continued till large amount of food materials exist in the habitat.
What is a real world example of the J-curve? ›
Real World Example of the J Curve
Look no further than Japan in 2013 for a practical example of the J Curve. The country's trade balance deteriorated after a sudden depreciation in the yen, owing mostly to the fact that the volume of exports and imports took time to respond to price signals.
What are the phases of the J-curve? ›
In this book summary of The Start-Up J Curve, we'll explore the six predictable phases of the startup journey, including Create, Release, Morph, Model, Scale, and Harvest.
What is the J shaped relationship? ›
J-shaped relation: A non-linear relationship between two variables that is described by a curve that initially falls, but then rises to become higher than the starting point.
What causes the J-curve in private equity? ›
The reason the J-Curve exists is because investment managers charge fees on committed capital prior to making any investments. Furthermore, investments are typically held at cost in the early years of the fund (prior to accounting for fees), as the manager needs time to implement their business plan.
What is J-curve effect time? ›
The J-curve effect suggests that after a currency depreciation, the current account balance will first fall for a period of time before beginning to rise as normally expected. If a country has a trade deficit initially, the deficit will first rise and then fall in response to a currency depreciation.
What is the J-curve of the population? ›
The increase in human population or other activity (such as energy use) is often described as a extreme exponential curve. These are described as a "J" or "hockey stick" to emphasize a flat portion followed by a drammatic rise.
