population ecology Flashcards

1
Q

define populaton

A

a group of conspecifics inhabiting the same area

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2
Q

define geographical range

A

the physical area that is inhabited by a population

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3
Q

define clumped distribution

A

small groups that are spread throughout a habitat

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4
Q

define spaced distribution

A

lone individuals spread from birthplace in search of breeding/feeding ground

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5
Q

define random distribution (seeds)

A

population scattered by other factors- wind etc

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6
Q

define fecundity

A

the highest potential output of of young by individuals

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7
Q

define fertility

A

the actual output of young when limiting factors are considered

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8
Q

what are the 5 reproductive phases? (B, JP, RP, PRP, D)

A

birth, birth phase, juvenile phase, post juvenile phase, death

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9
Q

what is the longest life phase?

A

reproductive phase

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10
Q

define mortality

A

number of deaths per population per time unit

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11
Q

what do survivorship curves display?

A

probability of an individual reaching maximum life expectancy

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12
Q

define type 1 survivorship curve (k strategist)

A

low mortality until PRP

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13
Q

define type 2 survivorship curve

A

constant linear decline

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14
Q

define type 3 survivorship curve (r strategist)

A

high probability of death in JP, remains constantly high throughout life

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15
Q

define the life history theorem. (life events, k or r?)

A

the time at which life stages occur define what kind of strategist the animal is

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16
Q

define closed population

A

one not subject to immi/emigration

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17
Q

define density independent growth (fecundity)

A

unconstrained growth of a population

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18
Q

define density independent factor

A

mortality is not affected by population density

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19
Q

define regulation of abundance (balance of pop)

A

when population increases during breeding season, dispersal and mortality balance it

20
Q

define carrying capacity

A

stable equilibrium around which a population fluctuates

21
Q

define natality

A

the number of young born in a given time

22
Q

does population size increase linearly or logarithmically with a doubling of fecundity rates?

A

logarithmically

23
Q

define longevity

A

age at death

24
Q

which kind of strategists would you expect to find a higher number of individuals in PRP?

25
how does the 50:50 birth sex ratio fluctuate as time goes on
more females will prevail due to male-male violence
26
define 'driven' extinction. refer to environmental changes. why can a population not recover from it
a change in environment causes a decrease in pop size. too low to initiate a boom and k capacity decreases
27
define 'by chance' extinction. why is it only prevalent in smaller pop sizes?
dependent on few individuals, things like simply not finding a mate can cause extinction
28
define 'genetic malfunction' extinction. why does it occur mainly in small populations?
inbreeding occurs, genetic fitnesses decreases and diseases become prevalent
29
define the hierarchical approach to population control- refer to levels of cause
pop size is determined by more than one causal factor which operates on more than one level
30
what factors act on the landscape level of hierarchical causation? natural and anthropogenic
agriculture succession climate change
31
what factors act on an individual level of hierarchical causation?
rates of feeding presence of predators dispersal
32
define a source in the context of source-sink dynamics
an ideal environment that supports high fertility levels- birth rate higher than mortality
33
define a sink in the context of source-sink dynamics
the less ideal area into which young will disperse- birth rate lower than mortality
34
define metapopulation- refer to subpopulations
made up of many subpopulations, some acting as sources and some acting as sinks
35
what % of source can sustain what % of sink
10%:90%
36
what is the edge effect of small national reserves?
only species found at the edge of normal wild environments will be found in small national park due to more of it being nearer the edge
37
define demographic uncertainty as a factor causing extinction
random events in a population such as a whole generation of males being born
38
define environmental uncertainty as a factor causing extinction
weather causing drought | predator abundance
39
define natural catastrophes as a factor causing extinction
short and devastating events like hurricanes
40
define genetic uncertainty as a factor causing extinction
chance mutations occurring like susceptibility to a disease- usually only possible in small populations
41
what are the 3 categories of threat to animals?
vulnerable endangered critical
42
define extinction vortex
when multiple factors play into the extinction of a specie
43
what is overshoot in the context of carrying capacity?
when a population produces more offspring than the ecosystem can provide
44
what is die-off in the context of carrying capacity?
population decreases rapidly and falls below the k line
45
what is oscillation in terms of carrying capacity?
when the population moves close to the k line- either above or below