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Questions and Answers
How does population density typically affect the impact of density-independent factors on a population?
How does population density typically affect the impact of density-independent factors on a population?
- Population density has no effect on density-independent factors
- Higher population densities exacerbate the impact of density-independent factors (correct)
- Lower population densities increase the impact of density-independent factors
- Density-independent factors decrease as population density increases
Which factor is most likely to contribute to the cyclic nature of a population?
Which factor is most likely to contribute to the cyclic nature of a population?
- Limited resources leading to intraspecific competition (correct)
- Density-independent factors, such as natural disasters
- Age structure of the population
- Stable population density due to density-dependent factors
In a scenario of intense intraspecific competition, what would be most likely observed in the population age structure?
In a scenario of intense intraspecific competition, what would be most likely observed in the population age structure?
- An inverted age structure with more older individuals than younger ones
- A bimodal age distribution due to high reproductive success
- An even distribution of age groups with no specific pattern
- A skewed age structure with few individuals in older age groups (correct)
Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor that can influence population dynamics?
Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor that can influence population dynamics?
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What is a characteristic feature of populations experiencing a phase of exponential growth?
What is a characteristic feature of populations experiencing a phase of exponential growth?
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Study Notes
Population Ecology
- Population ecology is used to increase populations of organisms we wish to harvest, decrease populations of pests, and save populations of organisms close to extinction.
- Humans have converted Earth's natural ecosystems to ecosystems that produce goods and services for our own benefit.
Population Cycles
- Some populations of insects, birds, and mammals undergo dramatic fluctuations in density with remarkable regularity, resulting in "booms" and "busts".
- The snowshoe hare and the lynx populations show a rapid increase followed by a sharp decline every 10 years.
- Three main hypotheses for hare cycles: winter food shortages, predator-prey interactions, and a combination of food resource limitation and excessive predation.
The Exponential Population Growth Model
- Exponential population growth describes the expansion of a population in an ideal and unlimited environment.
- Population size of each new generation is calculated by multiplying the current population size by a constant factor representing the birth rate minus the death rate.
- Produces a J-shaped curve typical of exponential growth.
Case Study: European Starlings
- 1890: 60 European starlings released in NYC
- 10 years later: tens of thousands
- 1920s: millions of starlings across New England
- 1970: starlings across entire United States
- European starlings show exponential growth.
The Logistic Population Growth Model
- Most natural environments have a limited supply of resources needed to sustain population growth.
- Population growth is limited by resource availability.
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