Population dynamics

Question 1

Give the 1866 Okologie definition of ecology

Answer 1

“science of the relation of the organism to its surrounding outside world”

Question 2

Give the modern definition of ecology

Answer 2

“The scientific study of the distribution and abundance of organisms and the interactions that determine distribution and abundance”

Question 3

Define natural selection

Answer 3

a complex process in which the total environment determines which members of a species survive to reproduce and so pass on their genes to the next generation

Question 4

Define evolution

Answer 4

Change with continuity in successive generations of organisms

Question 5

What are the 4 levels at which evolutionary ecology can be studied?

Answer 5

individual, population, community and ecosystem

Question 6

Which level of evolutionary ecology studies the effects of biotic factors?

Answer 6

community level (between different species)

Question 7

Which level of evolutionary ecology studies the effects of abiotic factors?

Answer 7

ecosystem level (community in its physical environment)

Question 8

What is a phase 1 habitat survey?

Answer 8

A survey based on the colour coordination of habitat types to give a spatial indication of habitat loss/growth

Question 9

What is a garden type experiment?

Answer 9

an experiment used for observing genetic factors by putting species in a closely controlled environment and seeing if they show different tolerances

Question 10

What are the 2 models that can be used for predicting?

Answer 10

verbal (for evolution) or mathematical (for climate change)

Question 11

Define a population

Answer 11

A group of sexually interbreeding or potentially interbreeding individuals

Question 12

Define a species

Answer 12

A group of interbreeding or potentially interbreeding natural populations, which are reproductively isolated from other such groups

Question 13

Define a metapopulation

Answer 13

a population that is separated by space/limited migration but consist of the same species (populations are transients and characterised by extinction and recolonisation)

Question 14

Give 2 reasons why populations are studied

Answer 14

for conservations and management (e.g. fisheries)

Question 15

Give the 2 characteristics of a population

Answer 15

distribution/dispersion and density

Question 16

What are the 3 types of distribution

Answer 16

uniform, clumped and random

Question 17

How do you calculate species abundance?

Answer 17

density x area

Question 18

Give the equation for the lincoln index

Answer 18

N = nM/R where N=population, n=number captured post-marking, M=number of marked animals, and R=number of marked recaptured