10 Questions
What do the terms 'fine filter' and 'coarse filter' approaches mean?
The fine filter approach focuses on protecting specific species or habitats, while the coarse filter approach aims to protect entire ecosystems and their processes.
What are proximate, ultimate, deterministic, and stochastic factors?
Proximate factors are immediate causes of a behavior or event, ultimate factors are the evolutionary reasons for a behavior or event, deterministic factors are predictable and certain, and stochastic factors are random and unpredictable.
Be able to define PVA and MVP. What are PVAs used for? What are the most recent estimates for MVPs?
PVA stands for Population Viability Analysis, used to predict the likelihood of a population's extinction. MVP stands for Minimum Viable Population, and the most recent estimates for MVPs range from a few hundred to a few thousand individuals.
What are the main differences between deterministic, stochastic, and spatially explicit population models? Be able to classify a given example as one of these types.
Deterministic models predict population growth with fixed parameters, stochastic models incorporate randomness and variability, and spatially explicit models consider spatial structure and connectivity. An example of a deterministic model is the exponential growth model.
What is the difference between a census and a survey? What is eDNA? Review the concept of metapopulation.
A census aims to count every individual in a population, while a survey estimates population size using a sample. eDNA refers to environmental DNA, genetic material obtained directly from environmental samples. A metapopulation consists of a network of interconnected subpopulations.
What do the 'fine filter' and 'coarse filter' approaches mean?
The 'fine filter' approach focuses on protecting specific species or habitats, while the 'coarse filter' approach aims to protect a broad range of species and habitats through ecosystem-level conservation.
What are proximate, ultimate, deterministic, and stochastic factors?
Proximate factors are immediate causes of behavior or events, ultimate factors are evolutionary explanations for behavior or events, deterministic factors are predictable and certain, and stochastic factors are random and unpredictable.
Be able to define PVA and MVP. What are PVAs used for?
PVA stands for Population Viability Analysis, used to predict the likelihood of a population's extinction. MVP stands for Minimum Viable Population, the smallest population size that can ensure the long-term survival of a species in its environment.
What are the main differences between deterministic, stochastic, and spatially explicit population models?
Deterministic models use fixed parameters, stochastic models incorporate randomness, and spatially explicit models consider spatial variation in population dynamics and environment.
What is the difference between a census and a survey?
A census aims to count every individual in a population, while a survey collects data from a subset of the population to make inferences about the whole.
Study Notes
Conservation Biology Approaches
- Fine filter approach: focuses on individual species or small groups of species to conserve
- Coarse filter approach: focuses on conserving entire ecosystems or landscapes
Factors in Conservation Biology
- Proximate factors: immediate causes of population decline or extinction (e.g. habitat destruction, hunting)
- Ultimate factors: underlying causes of population decline or extinction (e.g. human population growth, climate change)
- Deterministic factors: non-random, predictable factors affecting population dynamics (e.g. birth and death rates)
- Stochastic factors: random, unpredictable factors affecting population dynamics (e.g. natural disasters, disease outbreaks)
Population Viability Analysis (PVA)
- A method to predict the extinction risk of a species
- Used to identify conservation priorities and evaluate management strategies
Minimum Viable Population (MVP)
- The smallest population size required for a species to survive in the long term
- Recent estimates suggest MVPs range from 500 to 5,000 individuals
Population Models
- Deterministic models: predict population dynamics based on fixed rates and probabilities
- Stochastic models: account for random events and uncertainty in population dynamics
- Spatially explicit models: incorporate spatial factors and habitat heterogeneity into population dynamics
Population Monitoring
- Census: a comprehensive count of all individuals in a population
- Survey: a sample of individuals in a population to estimate population size or trends
- eDNA (Environmental DNA): genetic material collected from environmental samples to monitor species presence
Metapopulation
- A group of subpopulations that are connected by migration and exchange of individuals
Conservation Management Approaches
- Single species approach: focuses on conserving a single species
- Species community approach: focuses on conserving multiple species that interact with each other
- Ecological process approach: focuses on conserving ecological processes and functions
- Landscape approach: focuses on conserving entire landscapes and ecosystems
Landscape Ecology
- Patch: a discrete area of habitat
- Matrix: the surrounding habitat that is not suitable for the species
- Edge: the boundary between two habitats
- Corridor: a connecting habitat that allows species movement
- Network: a system of connected habitats
- Gradients: changes in environmental conditions across a landscape
Test your knowledge of population ecology and conservation biology with this quiz. Explore concepts such as fine filter and coarse filter approaches, proximate and ultimate factors, deterministic and stochastic models, PVA, and MVP. Identify and define these concepts, and understand their significance in population ecology and conservation efforts.
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