Population Dynamics Flashcards
What is a population
A group of organisms of the same species occupying a particular space at a particular time
What is a local population or deme
Comprises of individuals that are interbreeding with individuals sharing a common gene pool
What are the primary parameters population ecology is concerned with
Density
Birth/death rate
Immigration
Emigration
What are the secondary parameters population ecology is concerned with
Age distribution
Sex ratio
Genetic composition
What’s biotic potential
The maximum rate at which a population could increase
Reached when conditions are ideal with maximum birth rates and minimum death rates
What’s potential fecundity
Maximum birth rates
WhYs potential longevity
Minimum death rates
What’s environmental resistance in population growth
Factors in abiotic environment that limit population growth
Such as space, food availability, predation pressure, competition.
These factors increase death and reduce birth rates
What is population ecology applied to
Management of harvested populations (fisheries)
Control pest species
Conservation of endangered species
Planning for projected human population growth
What does age structure refer to
The numbers of individuals alive at each stage
What are life tables
Collate data describing:
Numbers at each stage
Numbers dying at each stage
Can combine with fertility schedule showing average no. offspring produced by an individual of each age
What is fecundity
Average no. of offspring produced by an individual of each age
What is a cohort life table
A cohort of organisms is tracked from year of birth to year of death for the older at survivor
What’s a static life table
Presents mortality data for a cross section of the population at a specific point in time.
Records numbers of individuals and number of deaths in each age class.
What are the types of survivorship patterns
Type 1: High mortality of oldest age class
Type 2: Constant mortality rate
Type 3: High mortality of youngest age class
