Ch 52 Population Ecology
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22 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Population | Group of individuals of a single species living in the same general area |
| Population ecology | Explores how biotic & abiotic factors influence density, distribution, size, and age structure of populations |
| Fundamental characteristics of organisms in a population | Density Dispersion Demography |
| Density | # of individuals per unit of area/volume Increases by births/immigration and decreases by deaths/emigrations |
| Dispersion | Pattern of spacing among individuals within boundaries of population |
| Clumped dispersion | Most common Individuals in patches, usually around a required resource |
| Uniform dispersion | Result of antagonistic interactions Ex: animals that defend territories |
| Random dispersion | Unpredictable spacing Uncommon |
| Demography | Study of vital statistics of population, especially births/deaths |
| Survivorship curve | Graphic way to show birth/death rates in a population |
| Life history | Traits that effect an organism's cheque for reproduction/survival |
| Life history variables | 1. When reproduction begins/age of sexual maturation 2. Reproduction frequency 3. # of offspring per reproductive session |
| Big bang reproduction | Organisms save their resources for one big reproductive event |
| Exponential population growth | Population growth under ideal conditions Any species is capable if resources are abundant, regardless of life history |
| Carrying capacity | Max population size that environment can support at particular time w/ no degradation of habitat |
| K-selection | Selection of life history traits that are sensitive to population density and carrying capacity |
| R-selection | Selection for life history traits that maximize reproductive success |
| Density-dependent factors | Death rate that rises & birth rate that falls as population density rises |
| Examples of density-dependent factors | Competition for resources Territoriality Disease Predation |
| Density independent | When death rate doesn't change w/ increase in population density |
| Demographic transition | Population goes from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates Regularly take 150 years to complete transition |
| Ecological footprint | Total land/water area needed for all the resources a person consumes in a poplulation |
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