During which phase of the growth curve does the population stabilize and cease to grow?

The stationary phase is characterized by a stabilization of the population size where the birth rate equals the death rate. During this phase, the growth rate approaches zero, meaning that the overall number of individuals remains relatively constant over time. This stabilization occurs after the population has gone through initial growth and any resources are fully utilized, leading to limited growth capacity. At this stage, environmental factors such as nutrient availability, space, and competition begin to balance the reproductive rates of the organisms, resulting in a steady state of population density.

In contrast, other phases like the lag phase involve a slow initial growth as organisms adapt to their environment, whereas the growth phase is marked by rapid population increase. The death phase, on the other hand, occurs when the population starts to decline due to factors like resource depletion or increased mortality. Thus, the distinctive nature of the stationary phase is its focus on balance and stabilization in population dynamics.