Lesson 2.1

Question 1

What is a population ?

Answer 1

A group of individuals of the same species in the same area at the same time.

Question 2

What occurs in populations?

Answer 2

Life processes ,such as reproduction and interactions, take place in populations.

Question 3

How do the individuals in a population live ?

Answer 3

They rely on the same resources and interact through activities like interbreeding.

Question 4

What factors can affect a population?

Answer 4

Abiotic, Biotic, and Intrinsic factors

Question 5

Describe the factors that affect populations.

Answer 5

Abiotic (non-living) factors include sunlight, temperature, soil, and nutrients. Biotic (living) factors include predators, prey, competitors, parasites, and diseases. Intrinsic factors are the adaptations that change a population.

Question 6

Why is population ecology important?

Answer 6

Population ecology is important so that we understand the factors that influence populations and learn to manage populations to help endangered species and rid of invasive species.

Question 7

Give an example of how we maintain populations.

Answer 7

An example of maintaining populations is through fisheries which sustain and protect domestic seafood supply.

Question 8

What are the population metrics?

Answer 8

Size, Density, Population Range, Pattern of Spacing

Question 9

What are the main ways to count a population?

Answer 9

Direct Count , Indirect Count , Random Sampling, Mark and Recapture

Question 10

Explain Direct counting

Answer 10

Direct counting counts every individual in a species so it is extremely precise. It isn’t the usual way of counting populations because it is time consuming and financially problematic.

Question 11

Explain Indirect counting

Answer 11

Indirect Counting is counting by things like hives, towns, nests, etc. It is less consuming than direct counting.

Question 12

Explain Random sampling

Answer 12

Random Sampling assumes that the population density of a sample is the same as the population density of the total area.

Question 13

Explain Mark and Recapture

Answer 13

Mark and Recapture is the ratio of marked individuals to total organisms.

Question 14

What is the formula for random sampling?

Answer 14

of organisms in sample/ area of sample = total #of organisms/total area

Question 15

What is the formula for mark and recapture?

Answer 15

total marked/total organisms = #marked in recapture/ recaptured organisms

Question 16

What does direct counting use?

Answer 16

Direct count uses direct proportions to calculate the size of a population.

Question 17

To get more accurate results in Mark and recapture you would generally do ___ trails and attempt to capture ___ organisms per capture?

Answer 17

(more , more)

Question 18

In what situations would random sampling work best for estimating populations size?

Answer 18

Random sampling works best in situations where the populations is large and evenly distributed and uniform.

Question 19

In what situations would mark and recapture work best for estimating populations size?

Answer 19

Mark and recapture works best in situations where the organisms can be captured, released, and recaptured without harm.

Question 20

What could affect the accuracy of random sampling ?

Answer 20

The size of your samples could affect the accuracy of random sampling because you have to find the right amount to sample or else you might overestimate or underestimate your population size.

Question 21

What is distribution/dispersion?

Answer 21

The spatial relationship between members of a population within a habitat.

Question 22

What are the three types of populations distribution?

Answer 22

Uniform - individuals are spaced apart equally
Clumped - individuals are grouped together
Random - individuals are spaced at unpredictable distances

Question 23

Give examples of uniform, random, and clumped distribution.

Answer 23

Uniform - territorial birds and trees in a plantation
Random - How dandelions grow in a field
Clumped - Elephants at a water hole

Question 24

Why do populations follow uniform, random, and clumped patterns?

Answer 24

Uniform - resources are scarce and there is competition
Random - equal access to resources and little to no competition
Clumped - common resources, protection from predators