Population Ecology Quiz

The study of populations in relation to their environment, including factors like density, distribution, age structure, and population size variations.

The study of how interactions between biotic(living) and abiotic (non-living) factors influence changes in a population's size.

A method to estimate population size by capturing, marking, releasing, and recapturing individuals in a sample.

A group of the same species living together in an area and can breed.

Using sampling techniques (like mark-recapture) to determine the total population size.

Capture and mark a sample (s) of individuals in the population.

Release the marked individuals back into the population.

Recapture another sample to determine the proportion of marked individuals.

Selecting a portion of a population for observation or study.

Identifying all selected individuals in a sample with a particular mark to distinguish them from unmarked individuals.

Taking a second sample of individuals from the same population after marking the initial individuals and releasing them.

Determining the number of individuals in the second sample that have already been marked.

Using the proportion of marked individuals in the second sample to estimate the total population size.

The formula used to estimate the population size: N = (s * r) / m, where s is the number of initially marked individuals, r is the number of individuals in the recapture sample, and m is the number of marked individuals in the recapture sample.

Estimating an unknown value (like population size) by assuming a pattern and applying it to the unknown value based on observations of a sample.

A method for estimating population size when observing marked and unmarked individuals. Assumptions include equal sampling probability for all individuals, no impact of marking on re-sampling, complete mixing of marked individuals, and no births, deaths, immigration, or emigration during the sampling period.

Changes in the number of individuals per unit area or volume due to immigration/births and emigration/deaths.

The study of population changes over time, focusing on vital statistics like birth and death rates.

A table that summarizes survival and reproduction rates for specific age groups in a population, typically using a female cohort.

A graph showing the proportion of individuals surviving at each age.

A survivorship curve where a high number of offspring are produced, but mortality rates are very high early in life. This is typical for species with minimal parental care and many offspring.

A rapid population growth pattern in an ideal environment with unlimited resources. It's characterized by a J-shaped curve on a graph.

dN/dt = rN

The per capita change in population size at each time instant. It reflects how fast a population can grow under ideal conditions.

A population growth pattern that starts exponentially but slows down as it approaches the carrying capacity of the environment.

The maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support based on available resources.

Exponential growth is unrealistic in the long term because resources are limited. Eventually, the population will reach the carrying capacity of the environment, which will limit further growth.

Exponential growth assumes unlimited resources and continues indefinitely, whereas logistic growth accounts for limited resources and approaches a carrying capacity (K) where population growth slows down.

Characteristics that affect an organism's reproduction and survival schedule, including things like age at maturity, number of offspring, and lifespan.

The limited resources available force organisms to allocate energy to different life history traits, resulting in compromises between traits like survival and reproduction.

Selection that favors traits that promote rapid population growth at low densities, often with high reproductive rates and short lifespans.

Selection that favors traits that maximize fitness at high densities, often with fewer offspring and longer lifespans.

The effect of population density on the types of traits selected for: r-selection at low densities, and K-selection at high densities.

Selection that favors traits that allow organisms to thrive in environments where population density has little impact.

Selection that favors traits that allow organisms to thrive in environments where competition is intense due to high population density.

Species exhibiting r-selected traits often include: - Rapidly colonizing new environments - High reproductive rates - Short lifespans - Minimal parental care

Different species have different strategies for reproduction and survival, leading to trade-offs in resource allocation.

A life history strategy favoring traits that maximize reproduction in unstable environments with low population densities.

Species that exhibit traits characteristic of K-selection, such as slow growth, late reproduction, and long lifespan.

Species that exhibit traits characteristic of r-selection, such as rapid growth, early reproduction, and short lifespan.

The gradual process of change in a community's species composition over time following a disturbance.