C4.1 Flashcards
Population and Communities
Sampling Population Sizes
What is population?
- A population is defined as “interacting groups of organisms of the same species living in an area.”
- Need to be the same species - which means that they have to be organisms that are able to succesfully interbreed.
Sampling Population Sizes
What is meant by Population size?
- The number/ estimated number of individuals of the same species living in that area AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME.
- Constantly fluctuating, even stable populations fluctuate according to births, deaths and individuals enterting and leaving.
Sampling Population Sizes
What is a Random Sample?
- a sample when the zone/area that it is taken from are randomly chosen, rather than using a predictable pattern.
- systematic sampling –> samples taken along a set grid at regular intervals (or along a transect)
Sampling Population Sizes
What is a sampling error?
- The difference between the estimated population size (from the sample) and the actual real population size is the sampling error.
- Used to predict the likely degree of error.
Sampling Population Sizes
What is Quadrat Sampling?
- For sessile (unmovable) organsisms, quadrats are an effective way to complete a random sample.
- A quadrat is a square of particular dimesntion that can be made of metal, plastic or wood.
- Placed in a random location in the area and organisms that lie completely inside the quadrant are counted.
Sampling Population Sizes
What does standard deviation tell us?
- Gives an indication of how spread out a data set it.
- Small standard deviation –> most of the data is close to the mean.
- Large standard deviation –> data is very spread out.
Sampling Population Sizes
When do we Capture - Recapture?
- capture as many organisms as possible and MARK THEM.
- Then recapture and see how many are marked.
- If most are marked –> suggests a small population.
- If most are unmarked –> suggests a larger population.
Sampling Population Sizes
What is the Lincoln Index?
- The formula for the Lincoln Index which uses data gathered from capture-recapture data to approximate a sample siz.e
Sampling Population Sizes
What is the Carrying Capacity
- A population is defined by the ogranisms in one area and most areas/ habitats have a finite number of resources such as food, water and shelter.
- These limited number of resources, an area cannot meet the needs of an unlimited number of organisms.
- The carrying capacity is the maximum number of organisms that an environment can consistently meet the need sof.
- If the population goes above the carrying capacity the death rate will increase until it goes below it and eventually will stablise around it.
Population Growth Patterns
What is a Limiting Factor?
- Any aspect or event in a habitat that prevents a population from continuing to grow larger is a limiting factor.
- Limits the population size.
Population Growth Patterns
Difference between Density dependent and density independent factors?
Chance events can occur that reduce a population’s size.
- DENSITY INDEPENDENT: if factors are unrelated to the population’s size or crowdesness in the habitat.
- DENSITY DEPENDENT: If a factor is much more significant in a crowded population and become more problematic as the population increases.
Population Growth Patterns
Types of Density-Dependent factors
They are significant in larger populations –> as they bring them back to a smaller size where they have less impact. (NEGATIVE FEEDBACK PROCESS.)
- More predators
- Competition for food, water, space.
- Faster spread of pathogens and parasites.
Population Growth Patterns
Stages in Logistic.
Population Growth:
- As populations grow from its initial development in the area, it will go from having the resources to grow very rapidly to eventually stabalizing at the carrying capacity.
- When graphed –> sigmoid curve. (S-shape)
Population Growth Patterns
Stages in Logistic.
Population Growth:
EXPONETIAL PHASE
(the steep slop upwards)
- There is ample resources for very rapid growth when a small number of organisms find an uninhabited area.
- Population begins to double, because each generation is larger –> population grows at accelerating rate.
Population Growth Patterns
Stages in Logistic.
Population Growth:
TRANSITIONAL PHASE
(the bend in the S)
- Population is now large enough so that resources have begun to be more limited, thus rate of growth slows.
- There is still a continued growth/ increase in pop size, but considerably slower pace as competition, predators and disease limit how many offspring can thrive.