Introduction to Ecology (Population Ecology)

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What is population ecology?

Back

Population ecology is the branch of ecology that studies the dynamics of populations of organisms, particularly the interactions between populations and their environment.

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What is a population?

Back

A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same geographic area and interact with one another.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support.

Front

What is the difference between exponential and logistic growth?

Back

Exponential growth occurs when resources are unlimited, leading to a rapid increase in population size. Logistic growth occurs when resources are limited, leading to a population that grows rapidly at first and then levels off as it reaches carrying capacity.

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What factors can affect population size?

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Factors affecting population size include birth rates, death rates, immigration, emigration, and environmental conditions.

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What is a density-dependent factor?

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Density-dependent factors are factors whose effects on the size or growth of the population vary with the population density, such as competition, predation, and disease.

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What is a density-independent factor?

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Density-independent factors are factors that affect population size regardless of the population's density, such as natural disasters and climate changes.

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What is the significance of the logistic growth model?

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The logistic growth model is significant because it describes how populations grow in a realistic manner, taking into account environmental limits and carrying capacity.

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What is a trophic level?

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A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from one level to the next.

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What is the role of predators in population dynamics?

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Predators help control the population size of prey species, maintaining a balance in the ecosystem.