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Questions and Answers
What is the intrinsic growth rate?
What is the intrinsic growth rate?
Which of the following is a density-dependent factor?
Which of the following is a density-dependent factor?
What describes K-selected species?
What describes K-selected species?
What does carrying capacity (K) refer to?
What does carrying capacity (K) refer to?
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Which model represents population growth without limits?
Which model represents population growth without limits?
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In what form does the logistic growth model represent population growth?
In what form does the logistic growth model represent population growth?
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Which term refers to the distribution pattern of individuals in a population?
Which term refers to the distribution pattern of individuals in a population?
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What does a survivorship curve graph represent?
What does a survivorship curve graph represent?
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Which of the following best describes a density-independent factor?
Which of the following best describes a density-independent factor?
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What primary factors influence changes in population size?
What primary factors influence changes in population size?
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Which statement regarding density-dependent factors is correct?
Which statement regarding density-dependent factors is correct?
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What characterizes K-selected species?
What characterizes K-selected species?
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What does the logistic growth model illustrate?
What does the logistic growth model illustrate?
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Which of the following best describes a population's carrying capacity?
Which of the following best describes a population's carrying capacity?
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In terms of population dynamics, what is emigration?
In terms of population dynamics, what is emigration?
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What is the significance of the intrinsic growth rate (r) in population ecology?
What is the significance of the intrinsic growth rate (r) in population ecology?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of density-independent factors?
Which of the following is a characteristic of density-independent factors?
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What does the exponential growth model represent?
What does the exponential growth model represent?
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What is illustrated by survivorship curves?
What is illustrated by survivorship curves?
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What impact does age structure have on a population?
What impact does age structure have on a population?
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Which type of survivorship curve is characterized by high mortality in early life?
Which type of survivorship curve is characterized by high mortality in early life?
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How does population size influence the health of a population?
How does population size influence the health of a population?
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What is a key feature of predator-prey relationships?
What is a key feature of predator-prey relationships?
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What is the formula to calculate the change in population (ΔN)?
What is the formula to calculate the change in population (ΔN)?
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Which factor does NOT influence a population's sex ratio?
Which factor does NOT influence a population's sex ratio?
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In which survivorship type do individuals generally survive well into adulthood?
In which survivorship type do individuals generally survive well into adulthood?
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What does 'density' refer to in population ecology?
What does 'density' refer to in population ecology?
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What typically happens to the population of Canada lynx in relation to arctic hares?
What typically happens to the population of Canada lynx in relation to arctic hares?
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What does the growth rate (r) of a population measure?
What does the growth rate (r) of a population measure?
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What type of growth is represented by a J-shaped curve?
What type of growth is represented by a J-shaped curve?
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Which factor is characteristic of K-selected species?
Which factor is characteristic of K-selected species?
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Which survivorship curve shows a constant mortality rate throughout life?
Which survivorship curve shows a constant mortality rate throughout life?
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What does the carrying capacity (K) refer to in population ecology?
What does the carrying capacity (K) refer to in population ecology?
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Which population model describes a population limited by carrying capacity?
Which population model describes a population limited by carrying capacity?
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What does the intrinsic growth rate (r) indicate?
What does the intrinsic growth rate (r) indicate?
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What is a primary characteristic of r-selected species?
What is a primary characteristic of r-selected species?
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How is a population's size affected?
How is a population's size affected?
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Which of the following statements about the Arctic hare is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the Arctic hare is accurate?
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What is represented by a Type 3 survivorship curve?
What is represented by a Type 3 survivorship curve?
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What does ΔN represent in population ecology?
What does ΔN represent in population ecology?
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How is the growth rate calculated?
How is the growth rate calculated?
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Which factor is crucial for the long-term health of the whooping crane population?
Which factor is crucial for the long-term health of the whooping crane population?
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What is not a factor included in the calculation of ΔN?
What is not a factor included in the calculation of ΔN?
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What does a decline in the whooping crane population illustrate?
What does a decline in the whooping crane population illustrate?
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Which of the following best defines intrinsic growth rate (r)?
Which of the following best defines intrinsic growth rate (r)?
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What role does immigration play in population change?
What role does immigration play in population change?
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Which factor does not affect the growth rate of a population?
Which factor does not affect the growth rate of a population?
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In the context of population dynamics, what is emigration?
In the context of population dynamics, what is emigration?
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What does a positive intrinsic growth rate (r) indicate about a population?
What does a positive intrinsic growth rate (r) indicate about a population?
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What defines the carrying capacity (K) of an environment?
What defines the carrying capacity (K) of an environment?
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Which of the following best explains density-dependent factors?
Which of the following best explains density-dependent factors?
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Which model accurately depicts population growth that eventually stabilizes near carrying capacity?
Which model accurately depicts population growth that eventually stabilizes near carrying capacity?
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Which of the following describes characteristics of r-selected species?
Which of the following describes characteristics of r-selected species?
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What is the relationship between population density and disease impact?
What is the relationship between population density and disease impact?
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Which type of survivorship curve is characterized by a constant mortality rate throughout an organism's life?
Which type of survivorship curve is characterized by a constant mortality rate throughout an organism's life?
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What is a likely effect of reaching carrying capacity on a population's growth?
What is a likely effect of reaching carrying capacity on a population's growth?
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What most significantly influences the intrinsic growth rate (r) of a population?
What most significantly influences the intrinsic growth rate (r) of a population?
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Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor?
Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor?
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What determines the maximum population size an environment can sustain?
What determines the maximum population size an environment can sustain?
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Which growth model produces a J-shaped curve representing ideal conditions?
Which growth model produces a J-shaped curve representing ideal conditions?
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What describes a population that clusters together rather than distributes evenly?
What describes a population that clusters together rather than distributes evenly?
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In which survivorship curve do most individuals survive well into adulthood?
In which survivorship curve do most individuals survive well into adulthood?
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Which of the following characteristics is typical of r-selected species?
Which of the following characteristics is typical of r-selected species?
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What type of factors limit population size regardless of density?
What type of factors limit population size regardless of density?
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Which of the following terms refers to the spatial arrangement of individuals within a population?
Which of the following terms refers to the spatial arrangement of individuals within a population?
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What is indicated by a negative intrinsic growth rate (r)?
What is indicated by a negative intrinsic growth rate (r)?
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Which type of survivorship curve is characterized by a constant mortality rate throughout life?
Which type of survivorship curve is characterized by a constant mortality rate throughout life?
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In population ecology, what does 'density' specifically refer to?
In population ecology, what does 'density' specifically refer to?
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What is the primary challenge associated with conducting a complete census of a population?
What is the primary challenge associated with conducting a complete census of a population?
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What factors can influence the fluctuation of a population's size?
What factors can influence the fluctuation of a population's size?
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Which population is described as having a single, distinct population?
Which population is described as having a single, distinct population?
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How do ecologists often estimate the population size when a complete census is impractical?
How do ecologists often estimate the population size when a complete census is impractical?
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What term describes the actual number of organisms in a population?
What term describes the actual number of organisms in a population?
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In what context might the analysis of the Kirtland's Warbler be particularly relevant?
In what context might the analysis of the Kirtland's Warbler be particularly relevant?
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Which species has populations distributed throughout a wide geographical area?
Which species has populations distributed throughout a wide geographical area?
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What type of observation is critical for determining the current status of a population?
What type of observation is critical for determining the current status of a population?
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What is the primary purpose of mathematical tools in studying populations?
What is the primary purpose of mathematical tools in studying populations?
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What is a significant challenge when estimating population size in large or dispersed populations?
What is a significant challenge when estimating population size in large or dispersed populations?
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What is a population index used for?
What is a population index used for?
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What method was used to monitor the abundance of Wildebeest in the Serengeti?
What method was used to monitor the abundance of Wildebeest in the Serengeti?
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What did Belant et al. (2019) compare to determine the reliability of an index measure?
What did Belant et al. (2019) compare to determine the reliability of an index measure?
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Why is it important to validate an index used for estimating population size?
Why is it important to validate an index used for estimating population size?
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What is an example of index data for large mammals?
What is an example of index data for large mammals?
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What issue was found with the commonly used index of lion abundance based on tracks?
What issue was found with the commonly used index of lion abundance based on tracks?
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How many male Kirtland’s Warblers were typically monitored each spring to estimate their population?
How many male Kirtland’s Warblers were typically monitored each spring to estimate their population?
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What population size was recorded for the Wildebeest in the 1960s?
What population size was recorded for the Wildebeest in the 1960s?
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What is a key factor in estimating the number of endangered species individuals?
What is a key factor in estimating the number of endangered species individuals?
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What challenge is often faced when using population indices for conservation?
What challenge is often faced when using population indices for conservation?
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Study Notes
Population Ecology
-
Whooping Crane Conservation:
- The whooping crane population in the U.S. declined from 10,000 to 15 individuals by 1938.
- Scientists are working to protect their breeding grounds and increase their population.
Factors Affecting Population Size
-
Intrinsic Growth Rate:
- The rate at which a population increases or decreases in size.
- Influenced by births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.
-
Density:
- The number of individuals per given area.
- Can be described as low, high, or even, depending on the distribution of individuals within an area.
-
Distribution:
- Can be random, uniform, or clumped.
-
Sex Ratio:
- The proportion of males to females in a population.
-
Age Structure:
- The number of individuals in each age group.
-
Density-Dependent Factors:
- Factors that limit growth based on the population's density.
- Include limited food, water, shelter, and disease.
- Result in the population reaching a carrying capacity.
-
Carrying Capacity (K):
- The maximum number of individuals an area can sustainably support.
-
Density-Independent Factors:
- Factors that limit growth regardless of population density.
- Include natural disasters like floods and fires.
Population Growth Models
-
Exponential Growth Model:
- Represents population growth without limits.
- Results in a J-shaped curve that indicates rapid population increase.
- Equation: Nt = N0ert
- Nt = population at any time (t)
- N0 = initial population
- r = intrinsic growth rate
- e = mathematical constant (approximately 2.71)
- t = time
-
Logistic Growth Model:
- Represents population growth with limitations.
- Growth rate slows down as the population reaches carrying capacity.
- Results in an S-shaped curve.
Species Strategies
-
K-Selected Species:
- Have a slow growth rate and reach a stable population size close to the carrying capacity.
- Typically exhibit long lifespans, low reproductive rates, and high parental care.
- Examples: Humans and whooping cranes.
-
r-Selected Species:
- Have a rapid growth rate, often experiencing boom-and-bust cycles.
- Typically exhibit short lifespans, high reproductive rates, and low parental care.
- Examples: Arctic hares and many insects.
-
Survivorship Curves:
- Graphs that show the proportion of individuals surviving to each age.
- Type 1: High survival rates early in life, with high mortality rates later in life (e.g., humans).
- Type 2: Constant mortality rate throughout life (e.g., songbirds).
- Type 3: High mortality rates early in life, with low mortality rates later in life (e.g., acorns).
-
Predator-Prey Relationships:
- The population cycles of predators and prey are often linked.
- As prey populations increase, predator populations also increase.
- As prey populations decline, predator populations decline.
-
Calculating Population Change:
- Equation: ΔN = B - D + I - E
- ΔN = change in population size
- B = births
- D = deaths
- I = immigration
- E = emigration
-
Growth rate (r) = ΔN/N0
- N0 = initial population size
- Equation: ΔN = B - D + I - E
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Description
Test your knowledge on population ecology concepts, including factors affecting population size and the conservation of whooping cranes. Explore key terms such as intrinsic growth rate, density, distribution, and age structure. This quiz will challenge your understanding of how populations interact with their environments.
