01
Front
What is a population in ecology?
Back
A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area at a particular time.
Free Online Flashcard Deck
06 Population Ecology Free Online FlashCards
Study 06 Population Ecology with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
12 cards
02
Front
How do population size and density differ?
Back
Population size is the total number of individuals; population density is the number of individuals per unit area or volume.
03
Front
How can quadrats help estimate plant abundance?
Back
Ecologists count plants in sample plots called quadrats to estimate abundance.
04
Front
How does mark–recapture estimate an animal population?
Back
Capture, mark, and release some animals, then capture another sample. The fraction of marked animals in the second sample helps estimate population size.
05
Front
What are the three main population dispersion patterns?
Back
Clumped individuals occur in groups; uniform individuals are spaced relatively evenly; random individuals have no predictable spacing pattern.
06
Front
What determines a population's change in size?
Back
Population change = births + immigration − deaths − emigration.
07
Front
What characterizes exponential population growth?
Back
Exponential growth occurs when the rate of increase rises with population size, producing a J-shaped curve. It cannot continue indefinitely in a finite environment.
08
Front
How does logistic growth change near carrying capacity?
Back
Logistic growth slows as a population approaches carrying capacity, producing an S-shaped curve; in the simplified model, growth is zero at carrying capacity.
09
Front
What is a limiting factor?
Back
A limiting factor is a resource or environmental condition that restricts population growth, size, or distribution.
10
Front
What defines a density-dependent factor?
Back
Their effects become stronger as population density increases. Competition, disease, parasitism, and predation are examples.
11
Front
What defines a density-independent factor?
Back
They can affect populations regardless of density. Severe weather, fires, floods, and some forms of pollution are examples.
12
Front
Why can an environment's carrying capacity change?
Back
Carrying capacity can change with seasons, weather, habitat conditions, and resource availability.