Distribution of Species and Ecology (up to exam 1)

Question 1

species distribution

Answer 1

spacial arrangement of species

Question 2

home range

Answer 2

area a group/population moves and spend time in (typically over the course or 1 year)
- includes all areas/resources/spaces they go

Question 3

core range/habitat

Answer 3

area w/in home range where species spend majority of their time
- most reliable food and sleep sites

Question 4

methods for determining range (4)

Answer 4

• plot method
• quadrant method
• transect method
• GPS radio telemetry method

Question 5

plot method

Answer 5

representative sample
- larger species/larger area = larger sample taken

Question 6

Quadrat method

Answer 6

small square tool, count # in quadrant, repeat, (average count * area) = population size

Question 7

transect method

Answer 7

line across entire area of species
- used for species that move quickly

Question 8

methods for counting individuals

Answer 8

• mark/recapture
• photo collection (analyze w/ AI)

Question 9

GPS radio telemetry method

Answer 9

trackers to track movements (home range)
- once you know home range, can estimate population size

Question 10

3 types of range maps

Answer 10

dot maps, outline maps, contour maps

Question 11

dot maps

Answer 11

dots at specific locations of individuals

Question 12

outline maps

Answer 12

outline of range of individuals
- less accurate the dot maps; can over increase range

Question 13

contour maps

Answer 13

show density of species of larger ranges

Question 14

population growth

Answer 14

changes in # of individuals/time

Question 15

exponential growth

Answer 15

w/ unlimited resources; populations can grow rapidly over short periods of time
- only for PERIODS bc eventually a limiting resource will run (limiting population growth)

Question 16

logistic growth

Answer 16

a population will grow until it begins to reach it’s carrying capacity, at which growth rate begins to decrease

Question 17

equation for per capita growth rate (R) / (factors that influence growth rates)

Answer 17

R = B + I - D - E
- B = birth rate
- I = immigration rate
- D = death rate
- E = emigration rate

Question 18

density

Answer 18

size of population / area population occupies

Question 19

density-dependent factors

Answer 19

density of population effects growth/mortality rates
- ex: competition, predation, disease, parasitism

Question 20

density-independent factors

Answer 20

factors affect population same (regardless of density)
- ex: natural disasters, extreme weather, deforestation

Question 21

predator-prey cycles

Answer 21

depends on resources and compeittion
- prey population inc. = inc. predator population = dec. prey population = dec. predator population =….

Question 22

3 spatial distributions

Answer 22

random, uniform, clumped

Question 23

when do random spatial distributions occur?

Answer 23

no competition
- no tendency for aggregating
- atypical
- homogenous landscape

Question 24

when do uniform spatial distributions occur?

Answer 24

intense competition
- homogenous landscape
- territorial animals!!

Question 25

when do clumped spatial distributions occur?

Answer 25

pack/group animals - most common - can create competition for resources

Question 26

ecological niche

Answer 26

specific environment occupied by an organism including all resources/space, environmental tolerance, ecological role, biotic/abiotic factors

Question 27

realized niche

Answer 27

actual environmental conditions in which a species survives and reproduces - limited by competition and resources

Question 28

fundamental niche

Answer 28

total range of environmental conditions a species could occupy/tolerate

Question 29

which is larger realized or fundamental niche?

Answer 29

realized < fundamental

Question 30

source-sink dyanmics

Answer 30

when landscape = heterogenous - population moves source --> sink (high quality --> low quality area) - dec. reproductive success - mortality > birth - leads to local extinctions (w/o steady flow of source --> sink); if has enough in-flow (individuals produce in source)

Question 31

splitting populations

Answer 31

metapopulation --> subpopulations - when resources in 1 location are scarce - leads to less competition - usually seasonal

Question 32

6 factors that limit species distribution

Answer 32

1. geographic barrier 2. environmental conditions 3. disturbances 4. behavior 5. competition 6. symbiotic relationships

Question 33

geographic barrier

Answer 33

vicariance prevents further distribution

Question 34

environmental conditions that limit distribution

Answer 34

- elevation, temp, humidity, soil, etc. - dictates "zone of tolerance"

Question 35

disturbances that limit distribution

Answer 35

natural and human disturbances - small-scale = adapt - large-scale/human = intense pressure = inability to adapt quick enough

Question 36

behaviors that limit distribution

Answer 36

seasonal fluctuations; based on resource availability - behavioral flexibility

Question 37

behavioral flexibility

Answer 37

ability to shift behavior to be within range - modify diet, range, etc. to ensure high-quality resources

Question 38

fission-fusion (behavioral flexibility)

Answer 38

response to temporal/food shortages - groups breaks into smaller groups to forage (reduce competition), then comes back together when more food is available - can extend normal range

Question 39

exploitative competition

Answer 39

individuals use up resources and make them unavailable to others - indirect - who's 1st?

Question 40

interference competition

Answer 40

individuals use aggression/dominance to deny others access to resources - direct

Question 41

competitive exclusion principle

Answer 41

no 2 species can occupy the exact same niche

Question 42

niche separation (competitive exclusion principle)

Answer 42

2 species occupy (almost) exact same niche w/ 1 difference (that reduces competition enough)

Question 43

3 types of symbiotic relationships

Answer 43

mutualism, parasitism, commensalism

Question 44

mutualism

Answer 44

(+/+); reliant, both benefit - one can limit others' range

Question 45

parasitism

Answer 45

(+/-); parasite needs host - host limits parasites range

Question 46

commensalism

Answer 46

(+/N); 1 benefits, other = neutral

Question 47

polyspecific associations

Answer 47

NOT true mutualism BUT organisms develop close relationship (ex: video of wolf and badger)

Question 48

competitive exclusion principle

Answer 48

no 2 species can occupy the exact same range (Needs at least 1 difference)