Population dynamics

Question 1

Causes of population fluctuations

Answer 1

Fluctuating abiotic environment, Predator Prey interaction, Disease dynamics, Dispersal limitations

Question 2

Fluctuating abiotic environment

Answer 2

Warm winter weather associated with population declines in alpine butterfly

Question 3

Scramble competition

Answer 3

Competition for limited resources
Populations can fluctuate all by themselves in constant environment

Question 4

Predator Prey interaction

Answer 4

Predator cycles lag behind prey
Simple mathmatical models of pred prey populationss predict cycles

Question 5

Disease dynamics

Answer 5

(herd immunity)
For disease with lasting immunity
Spread of disease leads to reduction in densityof susceptible individuals
Births and immigration replenish succeptible pop and cycle repeats

Question 6

Dispersal limitations

Answer 6

Metapopulations: local extinctions and (re-) colonisations
Where suitable habitat occurs in patches in the land- or sea-scape