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Questions and Answers
What initiates the pioneer stage of primary succession?
What initiates the pioneer stage of primary succession?
Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the climax community?
Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the climax community?
In which stage of secondary succession do pioneer species begin to establish?
In which stage of secondary succession do pioneer species begin to establish?
What influences the types of organisms found in the climax community?
What influences the types of organisms found in the climax community?
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What type of ecosystem would likely develop in a hot and dry environment during climax community formation?
What type of ecosystem would likely develop in a hot and dry environment during climax community formation?
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During which stage does the soil become thicker and more nutritious in both primary and secondary succession?
During which stage does the soil become thicker and more nutritious in both primary and secondary succession?
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Which of the following would be a primary pioneer species?
Which of the following would be a primary pioneer species?
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What type of larger animal is typically found in the climax community?
What type of larger animal is typically found in the climax community?
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What does population ecology primarily focus on?
What does population ecology primarily focus on?
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Which of the following correctly describes carrying capacity?
Which of the following correctly describes carrying capacity?
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Density dependent limiting factors are characterized by which of the following?
Density dependent limiting factors are characterized by which of the following?
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Which phase follows the exponential growth phase in a population's growth process?
Which phase follows the exponential growth phase in a population's growth process?
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What term describes a group of organisms of the same species that occupy a given area?
What term describes a group of organisms of the same species that occupy a given area?
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Which of the following is NOT a population parameter that influences its size?
Which of the following is NOT a population parameter that influences its size?
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Which type of limiting factor includes natural disasters and climate conditions?
Which type of limiting factor includes natural disasters and climate conditions?
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Which stage represents a fluctuation around carrying capacity in population growth?
Which stage represents a fluctuation around carrying capacity in population growth?
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What is an ecological niche?
What is an ecological niche?
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What leads to stronger gene pools in a species?
What leads to stronger gene pools in a species?
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How do species achieve competitive coexistence?
How do species achieve competitive coexistence?
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What method is suitable for estimating the size of populations with organisms that are slow-moving or stationary?
What method is suitable for estimating the size of populations with organisms that are slow-moving or stationary?
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What is resource partitioning?
What is resource partitioning?
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What is one of the precautions necessary when using the mark-recapture method?
What is one of the precautions necessary when using the mark-recapture method?
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What adaptation helps plants at the emergent layer of a forest?
What adaptation helps plants at the emergent layer of a forest?
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Which statement correctly describes the relationship between predator and prey populations?
Which statement correctly describes the relationship between predator and prey populations?
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What strategy do giraffes and kudus use to avoid competition as coexisting herbivores?
What strategy do giraffes and kudus use to avoid competition as coexisting herbivores?
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When using the Quadrat method, what is essential to ensure accurate results?
When using the Quadrat method, what is essential to ensure accurate results?
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How do shorebirds partition resources?
How do shorebirds partition resources?
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What is the formula used for the Quadrat method to estimate total population size?
What is the formula used for the Quadrat method to estimate total population size?
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What distinguishes the hunting habits of lions and leopards?
What distinguishes the hunting habits of lions and leopards?
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What role do predators play in maintaining biodiversity in an ecosystem?
What role do predators play in maintaining biodiversity in an ecosystem?
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Which condition is NOT a precaution when employing the mark-recapture method?
Which condition is NOT a precaution when employing the mark-recapture method?
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In a healthy predator-prey dynamic, what happens when prey populations increase?
In a healthy predator-prey dynamic, what happens when prey populations increase?
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What impacts the biome of a climax community the most?
What impacts the biome of a climax community the most?
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What effect does overgrazing by one species of grass have on the ecosystem?
What effect does overgrazing by one species of grass have on the ecosystem?
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How do prey animals benefit from forming large groups?
How do prey animals benefit from forming large groups?
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What is the primary hunting strategy of African wild dogs?
What is the primary hunting strategy of African wild dogs?
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How do wild dog packs ensure the distribution of food after a hunt?
How do wild dog packs ensure the distribution of food after a hunt?
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What is the dilution effect in prey animals?
What is the dilution effect in prey animals?
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What social structure do wild dog packs primarily exhibit?
What social structure do wild dog packs primarily exhibit?
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Which factor contributes to the negative impact of alien species on the ecosystem?
Which factor contributes to the negative impact of alien species on the ecosystem?
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What is a key benefit of having a dominant pair within a social group?
What is a key benefit of having a dominant pair within a social group?
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What characterizes eusocial animals in their colonies?
What characterizes eusocial animals in their colonies?
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Which caste in a termite colony is responsible for defending the colony?
Which caste in a termite colony is responsible for defending the colony?
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How do worker bees contribute to the hive?
How do worker bees contribute to the hive?
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What role do drones play in a honeybee colony?
What role do drones play in a honeybee colony?
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In termite colonies, how is the ratio of castes regulated?
In termite colonies, how is the ratio of castes regulated?
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What is the primary function of worker termites in a colony?
What is the primary function of worker termites in a colony?
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Which of the following statements about the queen bee is true?
Which of the following statements about the queen bee is true?
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Study Notes
Population Ecology
- Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with their physical and biological environments, including factors affecting distribution and population makeup.
- Population ecology focuses on changes in population size, and factors that regulate these changes.
Individuals, Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems
- An organism is a single living entity, such as a bacterium, protist, fungus, plant, or animal.
- A species is a group of closely related organisms that can interbreed naturally and produce fertile offspring.
- A population is a group of organisms of the same species within a specific area that can interbreed.
- A community is a group of different species inhabiting and interacting in a particular area.
- An ecosystem is made up of populations and physical environment where they interact.
- Biosphere is the part of Earth where living organisms are found.
Population Size and Growth
- Population size is the total number of individuals in a population.
- Population size can change due to natality (birth rate), immigration, mortality (death rate), and emigration.
- Exponential growth (J curve) shows rapid, uncontrolled increases in population size.
- Logistic growth (S curve) depicts populations that grow exponentially and then reach their carrying capacity, which is the maximum number of individuals that can be sustainably supported by the environment.
Environmental Resistance
- Limiting factors constrain population growth, preventing it from exceeding carrying capacity.
- Density-dependent factors affect population growth as the population density increases, such as competition for resources, predation, disease, and limited space.
- Density-independent factors limit population growth regardless of density fluctuations, including physical factors such as natural disasters, drought, floods.
Estimating Population Size
- Direct methods: Counting every individual (census)
- Indirect methods: Quadrat method (counting individuals in small areas to estimate total population), Mark-recapture method (capturing, marking, releasing individuals and then recapturing to estimate population size).
Predator-Prey Relationships
- Predators and prey populations often experience cyclical fluctuations due to feeding relationships and negative feedback loops.
- Increased prey populations allow predators to flourish, but eventually decreased prey leads to fewer predators as well.
Social Organization
- Social organization improves survival and reproductive success.
- Prey animals may form groups for safety, confusion, and reduced chance of attack.
- Predators may work together to hunt, protecting vulnerable members.
Eusocial Organization
- Eusocial animals, like termites and bees, have a complex division of labor and a strict caste system (reproductive and non-reproductive individuals).
- This organization helps groups successfully secure resources and protect themselves.
Ecological Succession
- Primary succession is the gradual establishment of communities in previously uninhabited areas, such as bare rock.
- Secondary succession is the reestablishment of communities after a disturbance, such as a forest fire.
- Climax community represents the stable and mature stage of an ecosystem.
Resource Partitioning
- Species partition resources to minimize competition and maximize resource utilization, for example, through temporal or spatial differences in resource use.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of population ecology, including definitions of organisms, species, populations, communities, and ecosystems. You'll also learn about factors that influence population size and growth, as well as the significance of these interactions in ecological studies.
