Population Ecology

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Questions and Answers

What does the population growth formula G = B + I - D - E represent?

Species competition

Births, Immigration, Deaths, Emigration (correct)

Population dynamics

Natural resource depletion

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely without being degraded.

True

What is demography?

The study of statistics related to births and deaths within populations.

In predator-prey dynamics, predators regulate the prey population and vice versa, resulting in population ______.

cycles Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms in population ecology with their definitions:

Exponential Growth = Rapid increase in population size until resources are limited Food Chain = Sequence of energy transfer from producers to apex predators Predation = Interaction in which one organism hunts and eats another Carrying Capacity = Maximum size of a population that an environment can sustain Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a regulating factor of population growth?

Immigration Rate Signup and view all the answers

Urban sprawl has no significant effect on habitat destruction.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary resources affected by human consumption mentioned in the study?

Energy, Water, Space Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'carrying capacity' refer to in population ecology?

The point at which a population can no longer grow due to limited resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is essential for understanding population growth limitations?

Food and habitat availability. Signup and view all the answers

What is demography primarily concerned with?

Statistics related to births and deaths within populations. Signup and view all the answers

How do predators influence prey population dynamics?

By regulating the prey population through predation. Signup and view all the answers

Which consequence of overpopulation is often seen in urban areas like Mexico City?

Urban sprawl leading to habitat destruction. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the predator-prey relationship play in population ecology?

It results in cycles of population dynamics between predator and prey. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors does NOT contribute to population growth according to the population growth formula?

Emigration (E). Signup and view all the answers

What effect does urban sprawl have on natural resources?

It leads to habitat destruction and resource depletion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Population Ecology

Population ecology is the study of factors affecting population size and composition, focusing on births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.
Population ecology is important for understanding human impact on natural resources and for conservation and sustainability efforts.

Key Concepts and Vocabulary

Demography is the study of statistics related to births and deaths within populations.
Population growth can be exponential, meaning rapid growth until limited by resources, understanding limitations is important for both human and natural populations.

Factors Affecting Population Growth

Population Growth Formula: Growth = B + I - D - E (Births (B), Deaths (D), Immigration (I), Emigration (E))
Regulating Factors: Food and habitat availability, mate availability and competition (both interspecific and intraspecific), disease, predation, and climate factors.

Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity is the point at which a population can no longer grow due to limited resources.

Food Chain and Food Web

Food chains are sequences of energy transfer from producers to apex predators.
Examples of trophic levels include producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, etc.
Food webs are complex networks of interconnected food chains linking species within an ecosystem.

Predator-Prey Dynamics

Predators regulate prey populations and vice versa.
Population cycles occur between predator and prey (e.g., lynx and hare).
Predation affects population growth by contributing to mortality rates.
Both predators and prey can become linked over time.
A lab scenario involves beans as prey and students as predators.

Human Impact on Population Ecology

Human consumption impacts resources: energy (fossil fuels, climate change), water (overdrafting natural springs), and space (urban sprawl leading to habitat destruction).
Urban areas, like Mexico City, face overpopulation challenges.

Investigation 1: Predator-Prey Relationships

An experiment involving 100 individuals of each prey species (beans) spread in a 5x5m hunting area.
Predators have 60 seconds to consume as many prey as possible.
Predators must consume at least 20 prey items to survive.
If a predator dies, it becomes the predator species that consumed the most prey in the previous round.
Before starting the next round, surviving prey reproduce (each surviving bean gains one offspring).
Carrying capacity for each species is 800 individuals.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in population ecology, including factors that affect population size and dynamics such as births, deaths, immigration, and emigration. It emphasizes the significance of understanding these factors in conservation and sustainability efforts. Test your knowledge on demography, population growth, and carrying capacity.