A2 1 Populations Flashcards
Definition of population
Group of organisms of the same species living in a particular habitat.
Definition of biotic potential
The reproductive capacity of a population under optimum environmental conditions
What sources affected population growth graphs
Renewable and non renewable
Definition of intra specific competition
Competition between members of the same population.
Becomes more severe as population increases
Difference between R and K selected species in general
Two different population dynamics
R - increase rapidly, exhaust resources, crash, boom and bust cycle repeatedly.
K - population remains at carrying capacity.
What is mutualism
Where both species gain: interaction may be necessary for both
+/+
What is predation
The predator species gains and prey species loses
+/-
What is competition
Both species lose whilst interacting; species most affected is elongated from its niche
-/-
What is inter-specific competition
Competition between the populations of two species, occurs when species share a common resource that is in limited supply
What is the competitive exclusion principle
Two species cannot share the same ecological niche without one species being eliminated
What is biological control and advantages of it
Aims to achieve permanent control of pest populations without dangerous side effects, reducing the numbers below economic damage threshold
Adv -
BCA more likely to target specific pest species
BCA don’t have negative effect on biodiversity
BCA less likely to develop pest resistance
BCA relatively cheap, as parasite or predator does not have to be re introduced like fertilisers do
Factors that limit population growth are known as:
Environmental resistance
Abiotic or biotic factors
