38 Questions
What can occur when non-native species are introduced to a new ecosystem?
The ecosystem is disrupted
Which of the following does not describe a biotic factor?
Chemical factors
What can limit the distribution of a species with a narrow habitat tolerance?
Its own habitat selection behavior
What is an example of a positive interaction that can limit the distribution of a species?
The absence of a specific pollinator
What type of experiment can provide information about how predators limit the distribution of prey species?
Predator-removal experiment
What can be a biotic factor that limits the distribution of a species?
Disease
What is the primary reason why temperature is an important factor in the distribution of organisms?
Its effects on biological processes
Which of the following factors is NOT a physical factor in species distribution?
Predation
What is the primary reason why some species may be absent from a particular area?
All of the above
Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor in species distribution?
Parasitism
What is the primary reason why water availability is an important factor in species distribution?
Its effects on biological processes
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in species distribution?
pH
What is the primary focus of population dispersion patterns in population ecology?
The pattern of spacing among individuals within the geographic boundaries
Which type of dispersion pattern is most common in nature?
Clumped dispersion pattern
What does population density measure?
The number of individuals of a species per unit of area or volume
What is population abundance?
The number of individuals of a species relative to other species in a community
According to Rabinowitz's classification, what are the factors that determine the commonness and rarity of a species?
Three factors that were not specified in the text
What is population size?
The number of individuals of a species in a defined area
What is the difference between population density and abundance?
Density refers to the number of individuals per unit of area, while abundance refers to the number of individuals relative to other species
Which of the following is NOT a type of dispersion pattern?
Linear dispersion pattern
What is the formula for estimating population size using the Petersen-Lincoln equation method?
N = C (M/R)
Under what condition is the modified Petersen equation used for estimating population size?
When the number of recaptured marked samples is greater than 7
What is the purpose of demography in population ecology?
To study the factors that affect the growth and decline of populations
What is the name of the equation method used to estimate population size when the number of recaptured marked samples is greater than 7?
Modified Petersen equation method
What is the term for the study of the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that cause variation in population size?
Population dynamics
What is an example of a stable population cycle?
Larger animals
What is the term for the large fast growth in population size followed by a large crash?
Irruptive population cycle
What is an indirect indicator of population density?
Number of bird nests
What is the primary limitation of a static life table?
It does not provide information on sex ratios or birth rates
What can be inferred from an age structure diagram with a bottom wide shape?
The population is increasing
What is the main purpose of calculating the age distribution of a population?
To understand the proportion of individuals in different age groups
What is the shape of the age structure diagram for a population with a stable growth rate?
Columnar shape
What is the purpose of constructing a survivorship curve?
To graphically represent the mortality rate of a cohort
What is the advantage of using a static life table for longer-lived organisms?
It is simpler to use and requires less data
What can be inferred from an age structure diagram with an inverted pyramid shape?
The population is decreasing
What is the main difference between a static life table and an age distribution?
The type of data collected
What is the purpose of comparing the age structure diagrams of different countries?
To predict the future social conditions of each country
What is the advantage of using age structure diagrams to study population growth?
They can reveal a population's growth trends
Study Notes
Factors Affecting Species Distribution
- Species distribution can be limited by dispersal, behavior, biotic factors, and abiotic factors
- Dispersal limitations can occur when a species is unable to reach a particular area due to physical barriers or lack of suitable habitat
- Behavioral limitations can occur when a species has a narrow habitat tolerance, making it a specialist
- Biotic factors, such as predation, parasitism, disease, and competition, can also limit species distribution
- Abiotic factors, such as water availability, temperature, light, and soil quality, can also affect species distribution
Population Dispersion Patterns
- Population dispersion patterns refer to the arrangement of individuals within a geographic area
- There are three main types of dispersion patterns: random, uniform, and clumped
- Random dispersion patterns occur when individuals are spaced in an unpredictable way
- Uniform dispersion patterns occur when individuals are spaced at regular intervals, often due to interactions among individuals
- Clumped dispersion patterns occur when individuals aggregate in patches, which is the most common pattern in nature
Population Size, Density, and Abundance
- Population size refers to the number of individuals of a species in a defined area
- Population density refers to the number of individuals per unit of area or volume
- Population abundance refers to the number of individuals of a species relative to other species in a given location or community
Factors Affecting Commonness and Rarity of a Species
- Rabinowitz devised a commonness classification of species based on three factors: habitat, geographic range, and local abundance
- The Petersen-Lincoln equation can be used to estimate population size
- Indirect indicators, such as the number of bird nests or rodent burrows, can also be used to estimate population density
Population Dynamics
- Demography is the study of factors that affect the growth and decline of populations
- Population dynamics focuses on the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that cause variation in population size
- There are three types of population cycles: stable, cyclic, and irruptive
- Life tables can be used to study population dynamics, including static life tables and age-specific life tables
Age Distribution and Survivorship Curves
- Age distribution refers to the proportion of individuals in different age groups
- Age structure diagrams can reveal a population's growth trends and can point to future social conditions
- Survivorship curves are a graphical way of representing the data, plotting the number of individuals in a cohort still alive at each age.
This quiz covers the topics of natural range expansions, dispersal, habitat selection, and the impact of introduced species on communities and ecosystems.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
