the unrestricted growth rate of a species under ideal conditions —note 1. biotic potential depends on the number of live, fertile offspring produced at each reproduction, the frequency of reproduction, and the sex ratio —synonym reproductive potential, (gross) reproductive capacity, biological potential, (gross) biological capacity —note 2. biotic potential is the difference between the rate at which new individuals are being born per individual and the rate at which previously existing individuals are dying per individual —note 3. under optimal conditions population growth is typically exponential —synonym intrinsic rate of increase, reproductive potential, (gross) reproductive capacity, biological potential, (gross) biological capacity This definition last updated 07/17/2008