Population Ecology Review

Front

What is the carrying capacity in population ecology?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

Front

Define population dispersion.

Back

The way in which individuals of a population are spread out in their habitat.

Front

What are the three main types of population dispersion?

Back

Clumped, uniform, and random dispersion.

Front

What is uniform dispersion?

Back

A pattern of spacing in which individuals are evenly distributed across a given area.

Front

What is clumped dispersion?

Back

A pattern of spacing in which individuals are grouped together in patches.

Front

What is random dispersion?

Back

A pattern of spacing in which individuals are distributed without a predictable pattern.

Front

What is a limiting factor in ecology?

Back

Factors or resources that limit the number of organisms that can live in an area at the same time.

Front

Give examples of biotic limiting factors.

Back

Predation, competition, disease, and availability of food.

Front

Give examples of abiotic limiting factors.

Back

Temperature, water availability, sunlight, and soil nutrients.

Front

What is the difference between density-dependent and density-independent factors?

Back

Density-dependent factors are influenced by population density (e.g., competition), while density-independent factors affect populations regardless of their density (e.g., natural disasters).