Population Ecology

Question 1

define population ecology

Answer 1

the study of how and why populations change

Question 2

define a population

Answer 2

all members of a single species that occupy the same general area and can interbreed

Question 3

define ecology

Answer 3

science that deals with interrelationships among all living things in a general area and their nonliving environment

Question 4

what are abiotic components?

Give some examples

Answer 4

nonliving component

-soil, water, weather

Question 5

what is a biotic component?

Answer 5

living component

Question 6

population ecologists study…

Answer 6

the interactions between the biotic and abiotic factors that cause variation in population sizes

Question 7

define population density

Answer 7

the number of individuals in a population

Question 8

Through what methods can population density be determined?

Answer 8

• census
• sample plots
• indirect indicators
• mark-recapture method

Question 9

define a census

Answer 9

direct count of all individuals of a population

Question 10

sample plots are of a…

Answer 10

particular dimension; smaller than the actual subject

Question 11

indirect indicators are the MOST

Answer 11

inaccurate

Question 12

give an example of an indirect indicator

Answer 12

of birds/ nest

Question 13

describe the mark-recapture method

Answer 13

select a defined area -> capture every organism possible within 1hr and mark it -> release it -> wait a wile -> return and capture all organisms within 1hr in the same defined area -> ratio the marked and unmarked

Question 14

define dispersion patterns

Answer 14

the spatial pattern in which members of a population are spaced within a given area

Question 15

list the 3 types of dispersion patters

Answer 15

1. clumped
2. uniform
3. random

Question 16

clumped dispersion pattern is best described as a

Answer 16

population with members that live in groups

Question 17

clumped dispersion patterns include..

Answer 17

family or social groupings (lions, fish, birds, humans)

Question 18

uniform dispersion patterns can best be describes as

Answer 18

organisms that maintain a constant distance between individuals

Question 19

uniform dispersion patters are designed to protect

Answer 19

scarce resources like nutrients, breeding sites, nesting sites, water

Question 20

uniform dispersion patterns are commonly seen in

Answer 20

territorial animals

Question 21

describe random dispersion patterns

Answer 21

individuals do NOT form social groupings due to the unequal distribution of the resources they need throughout the area they inhabit

Question 22

random distribution only occurs in

Answer 22

plants

Question 23

what tracks survivorship in populations?

Answer 23

life tables

Question 24

define survivorship

Answer 24

the chance of an individual in a population surviving to various life stages

Question 25

list the types of survivorship curve, their description, and corresponding curves

Answer 25

type 1- late loss (convex)
type 2- constant loss (straight decline)
type 3- early loss (concave)

Question 26

What is the simplest type of mark-recapture method?

Answer 26

the Petersen or Lincoln Index

Question 27

Lincoln Index formula

Answer 27

N= Mc/r

Question 28

define confidence limits

Answer 28

a statistical prediction of the percentage of certainty that the true population size is between 2 numerical ranges