population ecology

Question 1

what is a population?

Answer 1

group of same species living in a defined area

Question 2

some natural reasons that cause change in population size

Answer 2

food, water, living space, predators

Question 3

population size

Answer 3

number of individuals in a population

Question 4

minimum viable population

Answer 4

smallest group needed to sustain population

Question 5

population density

Answer 5

member of individuals per unit area

Question 6

plot sampling estimation

Answer 6

-choose size the plot will be
-choose located plots within population area
-count individuals in plots
-determine total population area
-average plot population x total area

Question 7

mark recapture method of population estimation

Answer 7

1. capture a number of animals, mark them in some way and then release them.
2. After a while, you capture a second group of animals and see how many of them have the mark.
3. By comparing the marked animals in the second group to the total captured, you can estimate the total population size.

Question 8

what does it mean if you mark 10 and then recapture 10 but only 1 is marked ?

Answer 8

10 is 10% of the population, so there is 100 total

Question 9

mark recapture method assumes that…

Answer 9

equal proportion is captured each time

Question 10

population distribution

Answer 10

where individuals are found within the population area

Question 11

3 population distribution patterns:

Answer 11

clumped, uniform, or random

Question 12

clumped distribution

Answer 12

-individuals are found in groups
-may cluster around needed resources (abiotic factor)
-may group together socially (biotic factor)

Question 13

grouping together (biotic factor) gives protection from

Answer 13

predators

Question 14

most common population distribution pattern

Answer 14

clumped distribution

Question 15

uniform distribution

Answer 15

-individuals are spaced evenly
-often from negative interactions between individuals (biotic)

Question 16

creosote bushes use up all water and inhibit growth of nearby individuals

this is an example of what?

Answer 16

uniform distribution

Question 17

random distribution

Answer 17

-individuals spread out without a pattern
-resources are evenly distributed
-little social interactions

Question 18

example of random distribution

Answer 18

dandelion seeds grow wherever they fall

Question 19

least common population distribution pattern?

Answer 19

random distribution

Question 20

growth rate (r)

Answer 20

how quickly a population is growing or shrinking

Question 21

r =

Answer 21

r = birth rate + immigration – death rate – emigration

Question 22

maximum biotic potential (Rmax)

Answer 22

the highest possible reproductive capacity of a species under optimal conditions

-females reproduce as much as possible
-no offspring die

Question 23

exponential growth is based on

Answer 23

current population size

Question 24

exponential growth: growth as a …

Answer 24

percentage of population

Question 25

graph of exponential growth:

Answer 25

J shaped graph constant growth at Rmax

Question 26

biotic factors

Answer 26

the living or biological components of an ecosystem

Question 27

abiotic factors

Answer 27

the non-living or physical components of an ecosystem

Question 28

____ rarely happens in nature

Answer 28

exponential growth

Question 29

exponential growth assumes...

Answer 29

o Population reaches maximum biotic potential o Resources are unlimited

Question 30

logistic growth takes _____ into account

Answer 30

limited resources

Question 31

carrying capacity (k)

Answer 31

maximum population size environment can support

Question 32

____ result as populations pass carrying capacity Carrying capacity____ as environment changes

Answer 32

death; changes

Question 33

limiting factor

Answer 33

primary thing limiting population growth

Question 34

logistic growth: Growth rate starts almost as _____ Rate slows as population nears __________________ Growth ____at carrying capacity Makes a vaguely __ shaped graph

Answer 34

exponential carrying capacity stops S

Question 35

density dependent factors

Answer 35

impact increases as population size goes up

Question 36

what helps determine carrying capacity?

Answer 36

density dependent factors

Question 37

Disease, Competition for resources, Buildup of wastes, Predation, Territoriality, Intrinsic limitations these are all..?

Answer 37

density dependent factors

Question 38

density INDEPENDENT factors

Answer 38

impact is NOT affected by population size

Question 39

____ does NOT impact carrying capacity

Answer 39

density independent factors

Question 40

fires, storms, natural disasters these are all

Answer 40

density independent factors

Question 41

life history

Answer 41

pattern of significant events in an individual’s life

Question 42

some examples of life history

Answer 42

o Development level at birth o Parental care or lack o When reproduction begins o How many offspring are produced o How often organisms reproduce

Question 43

semelparity

Answer 43

one reproductive event at end of life

Question 44

iteroparity

Answer 44

repeated reproductive events throughout life

Question 45

survivorship curves:

Answer 45

likelihood of survival throughout life

Question 46

survivorship curves: type 1

Answer 46

most dangerous things happen late in life *Die in old age (humans)

Question 47

survivorship curves: type 2

Answer 47

equally likely to die at any age

Question 48

survivorship curve: type 3

Answer 48

most dangerous part of life is the beginning *Most die early on (trees)

Question 49

These species are characterized by their ability to reproduce rapidly and produce a large number of offspring in a short period of time.

Answer 49

r adapted species

Question 50

hese species are characterized by their ability to maintain stable populations near the carrying capacity (K) of their environment

Answer 50

k adapted species

Question 51

______ -strategists typically have small body sizes, short lifespans, and invest relatively little parental care in each offspring.

Answer 51

r adapted

Question 52

______ -strategists typically have larger body sizes, longer lifespans, and invest more parental care and resources into raising each offspring.

Answer 52

k adapted

Question 53

r adapted: ___ environments niche _______

Answer 53

unstable generalists

Question 54

k adapted species: ___ environments niche ____

Answer 54

stable specialists