Quiz 4, Chapter 11, 11 Extended Flashcards
Describe a graph of the relationship between temperature and population growth rate. Include necessary terms.
Relationship between temperature and population growth rate- T0 (Thermal optimum) indicates the temperature at which the rmax (maximum rate of population growth) occurs. A graph of temperature vs pop growth rate (for aphids) would be a bell shaped curve with a left tail.
Describe the spruce budworm.
A number of years of dry weather can lead to outbreaks of spruce budworm, a destructive native insect. The outbreaks end when warmer and wetter weather returns.
What is the relationship between precipitation and population growth rate, using the example of the desert animal Merriam’s kangaroo rat?
Requires moisture/rain for reproduction. Reproduction coincides with seasonal moisture that stimulates plant growth in the fall and winter. The females require the green, succulent plant growth when pregnant and lactating in January and February. If rainfall is low, the plants do not develop and there are low levels of reproduction.
Describe how the level of snowfall correlates with white-tailed deer population.
Annual change in the white-tailed deer population in MN is inversely related to snow accumulation the previous winter. (More snow = less fawn per doe, less deer population). Snow messes with mobility and finding mates, as well as food availability.
What estimated percent of species have humans killed?
50%
What is MVP? Describe it.
Minimum Viable Population, the number of individuals necessary to ensure the population’s existence over a stated period of time (usually 50-60 generations).
99% probability of lasting 40 generations. Does not differ among major taxa or with geographic region. Negatively correlated with the population growth rate (the more individuals needed, the lower growth rate).
What is PVA? Describe it. What factors does it consider?
Population viability analysis (PVA) is a risk assessment model used to estimate MVP by taking into account genetic factors, species characteristics (life history), environmental variability (chance variations). If large fluctuations in population size, the estimated MVP is greatly increased.
What is MDA? Describe it. What factors does it consider?
Minimum dynamic area (MDA) is an estimate of the area requirement per individual. Takes into account home range size of individuals, family groups, or colonies; carrying capacity of the habitat.
How successful are ecological models? Explain.
Only 20% of ecological models work, they need lots of very accurate data and need to be continuously calibrated.
Who was Aldo Leopold?
The “founding father of wildlife management”. Established the nations first Department of Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison and served two decades in the forest service.
What book(s) did Aldo Leopold write?
The River of the Mother of God, A Sand County Almanac
What did “The River of the Mother of God” describe?
The importance of predators in the balance of nature
Over-protection of “Bambi”, forests
Scientific management of wildlife habitats (via public and private landowners; not via game refuges, hunting laws, etc; rejected the Utilitarianism approach by Teddy Roosevelt)
Describe the difference between an Utilitarianism approach to conservation vs a non-utilitarianism approach.
Utilitarianism approach: views species and ecosystems as resources or service
Non-utilitarianism approach: emphasize on aesthetic, emotional, spiritual, and ethical values of the nature (view of Leopold)
What did “A Sand County Almanac” describe?
Landmark in the American conservation movement, organized into:
Part I: Sand County Almanac; poetic.
Part II: The Quality of Landscape. e.g., “Thinking Like a Mountain” (Only the mountain has lived long enough to listen objectively to the howl of a wolf)
Part III: The Upshot
Land ethics
Wilderness
Conservation esthetic (more than just usefulness)
What were Aldo Leopold’s three qualities according to Dr. Huang?
EAI
Experiential (= involving experiences)
Aesthetic (=artistic)
Inspirational
Who was Rachel Carson?
Studied as a Marine biologist, renowned for her keen observations and sensitivity.
What book(s) did Rachel Carson write?
Silent Spring
What did “Silent Spring” describe? What was its impact?
Discussed DDT, pesticides, & other environmental chemicals.
Attacked by chemical industry 1963 Testified before the Congress Other events: falcon population decline 1972 DDT banned by US EPA
Also talked about the formerly wildlife-rich town that is now quiet.