(1) Depensation describes any situation where growth rate is reduced when population is small. (Liermann, M. and R. Hilborn. 2001. A review of depensation: mechanisms and models. Fish and Fisheries.) (2) Low per capita reproduction rates for small populations. (Population Dynamics of Exploited Fish Stocks at Low Population Levels, R.A. Myers, N.J. Barrowman, J.A. Hutchings, A.A. Rosenberg.) (3) Survival rate decreases (rather than increases) as populations levels decrease.