Ecology Flashcards
Population
Individuals of one species simultaneously occupying the same general area, utilising the the same resources and influence by similar environmental factors
Population ecology
The study of changes in population size and composition and of the factors that cause these changes
Density
The number of individuals per unit area or volume
Dispersion
The pattern of spacing among individuals
Mark and recapture formula
No. of recaptures/ no. total 2nd capture = no. total 1st capture/ N
Life table
An age specific summary of the survival pattern of a population. It usually follows the fate of one cohort- age group
Survivorship curve
Graphical representation of the survival pattern of a population
Exponential growth formula
dN/dT =1.0N
Logistic growth formula
dN/dT =1.0N (K-N/K)
Carrying capacity
The maximum population size the environment can support
Competitive exclusion principle
When populations of two similar species compete for the same limited resources, one pop. will use the resources more efficiently and have a reproductive advantage that will eventually lead to the elimination of the other population
Ecological niche
The sum total of a species’ use of biotic and abiotic resources in the environment
Fundamental niche
The potential niche that an animal could occupy
Realised niche
The actual niche that an animal occupies ( often reduced due to competition )
Resource partitioning
The division of environmental resources by co-existing species such that the niche of each species differs by one or more significant factors
