Studying Populations Flashcards

Population Studies Terminology

• Direct observation involves counting individual organisms, such as crabs in a tide pool.
• Indirect observation relies on counting signs of organisms, like nesting sites.
• Sampling estimates population size by counting organisms in a smaller area, such as red maples in a section of a forest.
• Mark and recapture study tracks population sizes by observing marked individuals, such as hawks with bands.

Population Dynamics

• Population size changes occur through the addition of new members or the departure of existing ones.
• The main way individuals are added to a population is through births.
• Birthrate is defined as the number of births in a population over a specific period.
• The primary means of individuals leaving a population is through death, characterized by the death rate, or the number of deaths in a population over time.

Movement of Individuals

• Immigration refers to the process of individuals moving into a population.
• Emigration is the act of leaving a population.

Population Density and Factors

• Population density measures the number of individuals within a specific area.
• A limiting factor is an environmental condition that leads to a population decline, with examples including food, water, space, and weather.
• Carrying capacity represents the maximum population size that an environment can sustain.

Effects of Weather and Space on Populations

• Weather conditions like temperature and rainfall can restrict population growth, preventing adequate food production.
• Space is generally a limiting factor for animal populations, rather than for plants.

Ecological Succession

• Succession describes a series of predictable environmental changes in a community over time.
• Primary succession occurs in environments with no existing soil or organisms.
• Secondary succession happens following disturbances in areas where soil and organisms still exist.
• Pioneer species are the first organisms to inhabit a previously barren area during primary succession, often including mosses and lichens.

Soil Development and Natural Disturbances

• Pioneer species contribute to soil development by adding nutrients as they die and decompose.
• Natural disturbances that can lead to secondary succession include fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, while human activities like farming, logging, and mining can also trigger this process.

Matter and Ecosystem Cycles

• Matter consists of tiny particles called atoms. When two or more atoms bond, they form a molecule.
• Important cycles of matter in ecosystems include the carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen cycles.
• Water is crucial for life, participating in the water cycle, which involves the continuous movement of water between Earth's surface and the atmosphere.

Water Cycle Processes

• Evaporation is when liquid water transforms into water vapor.
• Condensation occurs when water vapor changes back into liquid form, leading to cloud formation.
• Precipitation refers to various forms of water, such as rain, sleet, snow, and hail, that descend from clouds due to condensation.

Energy and Water Cycle

• The energy necessary for evaporation originates from the sun, driving these water cycle processes.

Test your knowledge of key concepts related to studying animal populations with these flashcards. Each card provides a term and its definition, helping you understand methods like direct observation, indirect observation, sampling, and mark and recapture. Perfect for biology students looking to reinforce their understanding!