Population Ecology: Factors Affecting Growth and Density

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What is the definition of density in a population?

The group of individuals of a single species living in the same general area
The number of individuals per unit area or volume (correct)
The dynamic interplay between births and deaths in a population
The pattern of spacing among individuals within a population

What are the two processes that add individuals to a population?

Births and emigration
Immigration and deaths
Emigration and deaths
Births and immigration (correct)

What is the result of the dynamic interplay between processes that add and remove individuals from a population?

Density (correct)
Population growth
Dispersion
Demography

What is the challenge of determining the density of natural populations?

It is impractical or impossible to count all individuals in a population (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the pattern of spacing among individuals within the boundaries of a population?

Dispersion (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two processes that remove individuals from a population?

Emigration and deaths (B) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in density-dependent populations as population density increases?

Birth rates fall and death rates rise (A) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the equilibrium density in a population?

Both birth and death rates (A) Signup and view all the answers

In density-independent populations, what happens to birth and death rates as population density increases?

Birth rates and death rates remain constant (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to population density in a density-dependent population when birth rates fall and death rates rise?

Population density decreases (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between density-dependent and density-independent populations?

Density-dependent populations have birth and death rates that change with population density, while density-independent populations have birth and death rates that are constant (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the equilibrium density in a population?

The population density at which birth rates equal death rates (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which density-dependent population regulation occurs?

Competition for resources (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between density and clutch size in song sparrows?

Clutch size decreases as density increases (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasing population density on seed production in plantain?

Seed production decreases with increasing density (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a mechanism that can limit density in a population?

Territoriality (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of feedback regulates population growth in density-dependent populations?

Negative feedback (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the general effect of increasing population density on population growth?

Population growth decreases with increasing density (C) Signup and view all the answers