Unit 2: Population Ecology Flashcards

1
Q

What is Population?

A

a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area at the same time, also may potentially interact with each other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Can defining a population border be difficult?

A

Yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Species exist as Metapopulation. What is Metapopulation?

A

a population of populations, connected by migration or gene flow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is Population Size?

A

(N) the number of population members in a habitat at the same time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are methods for determining Population Size (N)?

A
  1. count all individuals in the populations
  2. sub-sample and extrapolate
  3. mark-recapture
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Is the method: “count all individuals in the population” for determining (N) possible?

A

It is usually not possible, except for those endangered species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the different types in the method: “sub-sample and extrapolate”?

A

Quadrat & Transect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a Quadrat sample?

A

square made of various materials used to determine population size and density in slow moving or stationary organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a Transect sample?

A

a path along which one counts and records occurrences of the objects of study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the potential difficulties if the “sub-sample and extrapolate” method?

A
  1. over what area do you extrapolate
  2. Heterogenous habitat
  3. movement of individuals
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Mark-Recapture?

A

technique used to determine populations size in mobile organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the mark step in Mark-Recapture?

A

catch some individuals and mark them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the recapture step in Mark-Recapture?

A

return later, catch some individuals, tally number marked and unmarked

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do you estimate population size based on Mark-Recapture?

A

N = Mn/m

(N = estimate population size
M = number marked sample 1
m = number marked in recapture sample 2
n = total in recapture sample 2)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What assumptions are made about Mark-Recapture?

A
  • individuals not moving in/out of study area
  • individuals mix between captures
  • no catch bias
  • individuals do no learn to avoid/seek traps
  • no change in survival rate for marked individuals
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is Population Density?

A

number of population members divided by the area or volume being measured

17
Q

What is Population Dispersion?

A

how individuals are distributed relative to one another

18
Q

How many types of population dispersion is there?

19
Q

What is Uniform dispersion?

A

relatively equal spacing among individuals

20
Q

What is Random dispersion?

A

individuals has equal probability of occurring anywhere in the area

21
Q

What is Clumped dispersion?

A

individuals are closer than expected by chance

22
Q

What is Demography?

A

statistical study of changes in populations over time, which depend on the traits of focal organisms (birth/immigration = positive & death/emigration = -)

23
Q

What is Life Table?

A

table showing the life expectancy (and/or other traits) of a population member based on its age

24
Q

What do life table statistics estimate for?

25
What is a Cohort?
group of the same age that can be followed through time
26
What is a survivorship curve?
graph of the number of surviving population members versus the relative age of the member
27
What is a survivorship curve used for?
It is used to visualize and compare life histories
28
What is Life History?
inherited pattern of resource allocation under the influence of natural selection and other evolutionary forces
29
Give 3 examples of survivorship curves.
Type I - humans Type II - birds Type III- trees