Population Ecology Chapter 3

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Questions and Answers

What can occur when non-native species are introduced to a new ecosystem?

The ecosystem is disrupted (correct)

The community remains unchanged

The native species adapt quickly

The introduced species becomes extinct

Which of the following does not describe a biotic factor?

Competition

Chemical factors (correct)

Predation

Disease

What can limit the distribution of a species with a narrow habitat tolerance?

The absence of predators

Its own habitat selection behavior (correct)

The presence of a specific pollinator

The availability of a specific resource

What is an example of a positive interaction that can limit the distribution of a species?

The absence of a specific pollinator Signup and view all the answers

What type of experiment can provide information about how predators limit the distribution of prey species?

Predator-removal experiment Signup and view all the answers

What can be a biotic factor that limits the distribution of a species?

Disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why temperature is an important factor in the distribution of organisms?

Its effects on biological processes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT a physical factor in species distribution?

Predation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why some species may be absent from a particular area?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor in species distribution?

Parasitism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why water availability is an important factor in species distribution?

Its effects on biological processes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in species distribution?

pH Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of population dispersion patterns in population ecology?

The pattern of spacing among individuals within the geographic boundaries Signup and view all the answers

Which type of dispersion pattern is most common in nature?

Clumped dispersion pattern Signup and view all the answers

What does population density measure?

The number of individuals of a species per unit of area or volume Signup and view all the answers

What is population abundance?

The number of individuals of a species relative to other species in a community Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is population size?

The number of individuals of a species in a defined area Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of dispersion pattern?

Linear dispersion pattern Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for estimating population size using the Petersen-Lincoln equation method?

N = C (M/R) Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition is the modified Petersen equation used for estimating population size?

When the number of recaptured marked samples is greater than 7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of demography in population ecology?

To study the factors that affect the growth and decline of populations Signup and view all the answers

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 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that cause variation in population size?

Population dynamics Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a stable population cycle?

Larger animals Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the large fast growth in population size followed by a large crash?

Irruptive population cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is an indirect indicator of population density?

Number of bird nests Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of a static life table?

It does not provide information on sex ratios or birth rates Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from an age structure diagram with a bottom wide shape?

The population is increasing Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of calculating the age distribution of a population?

To understand the proportion of individuals in different age groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the age structure diagram for a population with a stable growth rate?

Columnar shape Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of constructing a survivorship curve?

To graphically represent the mortality rate of a cohort Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using a static life table for longer-lived organisms?

It is simpler to use and requires less data Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from an age structure diagram with an inverted pyramid shape?

The population is decreasing Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a static life table and an age distribution?

The type of data collected Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of comparing the age structure diagrams of different countries?

To predict the future social conditions of each country Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using age structure diagrams to study population growth?

They can reveal a population's growth trends Signup and view all the answers

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.

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Description

This quiz covers the topics of natural range expansions, dispersal, habitat selection, and the impact of introduced species on communities and ecosystems.