27: Regulation of Population Growth

Question 1

What factors determine population growth?

Answer 1

immigration, births (increase population size), death, emigration (decrease population size)

Question 2

What is population density?

Answer 2

number of individuals per unit of area

Question 3

What is the population density equation?

Answer 3

population density= number of individuals/land area

Question 4

What are density independent factors?

Answer 4

usually, abiotic factors that occur regardless of population density

Question 5

What are examples of density independent factors?

Answer 5

floods, droughts, hurricanes, destruction of habitat by humans

Question 6

What are density dependent factors?

Answer 6

factors have a larger effect as the population density becomes larger; they increase mortality (deaths) and decrease natality (births) as the population increases

Question 7

What are examples of density dependent factors?

Answer 7

competition, infectious diseases, predation

Question 8

What is a predator/prey cycle?

Answer 8

predator and prey move together in a cycle; population of predator and prey grow and fall in cycles synchronized in a way with each other

Question 9

What are examples of predator/prey cycles?

Answer 9

1. lynx/snowshoe hare cycle fluctuation in Northern Canada
2. Isle Royale moose and wolves

Question 10

How is population size estimated?

Answer 10

animals are tracked (tag them)