Topic 9 Flashcards
Population
group of individuals of the same species living together
Population ecology
How the processes of birth, death, migration influence the abundance & distribution patterns of groups of organisms
Population structure is characterized by..
- spatial structure
- agre/size structure
- genetic structure
Spacial structure
how individuals organize themselves in space. geographic distribution/ranger. patterns of dispersal/dispersion and population size
Age/size structure
number of individuals in each age/size class
Genetic structure
genetic composition of all individuals combined within the population
Demographic rates of an individuals..
change their lifetime
Geographical distribution/range =
geographical area in which a species occurs. determines by presence of suitable environmental conditions/resources
Habitat patch=
area of homogenous environmental conditions
Habitat patches can be ..
heterogeneously distributed over the range, separates by unsuitable habitat
Habitat patches result in..
many local populations of a species within a range (subpopulations)
Red maple
northern limit (-40C) western limits dry conditions. grows in variety of soils, moisture conditions, elevations, acidity levels. high degree of tolerance
Devils hole pupfish
exists in single deserve pool in Nevada, very small area.
Coyotes
over most north america
Rats and ecoli
spread w human movements
Whales
very large migratory species w lots of ground to cover
Range limitations are a..
malleable contraint as environmental conditions shift
Just because ideal conditions exist doesn’t mean..
you will find a species there. must account for colonization abilities of ancestral species
Environmental heterogeneity causes..
most population to be divided into subpopulations
Each subpopulation exists in a ..
suitable habitat and is separated from other subpopulations by unsuitable habitat
Metapopulations
collective of all subpopulations
Ecology typical occurs at the level of
subpopulation rathe than the entire population over its geographic range
At some stage in their life/lifecycle most organisms are ..
mobile
Movements of individuals directly..
influences their local density
Dispersal
movements of individuals in space