6.3.2 populations and sustainibility Flashcards
what is carrying capacity
6.3.2(a)
maximum population size an environment can support .
what is carrying capacity determined by
6.3.2(a)
limiting factors
describe a typical population growth curve at A
6.3.2(a)
a-lag phase-birth rate is higher than death rate so population increases in size
describe a typical population growth curve at B
6.3.2(a)
b-log phase-birth rate is higher than death rate. The population size increases exponetially
describe a typical population growth curve at C
6.3.2(a)
C-stationary phase-population size levels out at/near to cqrrying capacity. birth and death rate are equal. Population will stay stable or fluctuate slightly up and down
what are limiting factors
6.3.2(a)
prevent further growth of a populations and in some cases cause it to decline
what are density dependant factors
6.3.2(a)
limiting factors that have a stronger effect on larger populations
what are density independant factors
6.3.2(a)
limiting factors that have an effect on the whole population regardless of its size
what are examples of density dependant factors
6.3.2(a)
-availibility of resources- eg-food, water, light, oxygen-there will be more competition when population size is high
-parasitism and disease-more easilt transmitted in populations that are competing for space
-predation-will increase as prey population size increases too
what are examples of density independant factors
6.3.2(a)
-earthquakes
-fires
-volcanic eruptions
-storms
how can migration cause a sudden change in population size
6.3.2(a)
migration can also cause sudden changes in population size if individuals arrive (immigration) or leave (emigration). Ultimately the population will return to carrying capacity
what is interspecific competition
6.3.2(b)
competition between individuals of different species
what does interspecific competition affect
6.3.2(b)
population and distribution of species
what happens in interspecific competition when two organisms are competing for the same resources
6.3.2(b)
each organism will consume less food so will have less energy for growth and reproduction. This results in both organisms having smaller populations than if only one was present
what happens in interspecific competition when two organisms are competing for the same resource but one is better adapted
6.3.2(b)
the less well adapted species is likely to be outcompeted. It will decline in numbers until it can no longer exist in the habitat alongside the better adapted species
what is the competition exclusion principle
6.3.2(b)
when two species are competing for limited resources, the one that uses the resources more efficiantly will outcompete the other
what is intraspecific competition
6.3.2.(b)
when members of the same species compete for the same resource
why does the number of organisms fluctuate in intraspecific competition
6.3.2(b)
the availibilty of resources determines the population size. The more resources available the larger the population that can be supported
describe stages 1-3 in the fluctuations of organism size
6.3.2(b)
stage 1-when resources are plentiful in a habitat the organism has enough resources to survive and reproduce so population size will increase
stage 2-as a result of the increased population more individuals share resources eg-food/water. Resources are now limited so the population will decrease in size.
stage 3-smaller population leads to less competition. This means more organisms survive and reproduce increasing population size.
how can predation affect a prey animals population size
6.3.2(b)
- predation population increases more prey are eaten
- prey population decreases so less food for predators
3.with less food fewer predators can survive so there population reduces
4.with fewer predators fewer preys are eaten so prey population size increases - with more prey the predator population size increases
what is a predator
6.3.2(b)
a predator is an animal that hunts other prey animals for food.
why dont the curves line up in the predator-prey graph
6.3.2(b)
due to the time lags taken for predators and prey to reproduce
what is preservation
6.3.2(c)
keeping species and habitats as they are now or allowing them to naturally re wild without any human intervention
what does preservation involve
6.3.2(c)
restriction or complete ban on human access and is used for habitats that are sensitive to human disturbance eg-fragile cave or costal ecosystems