Population Ecology

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What is exponential growth in population ecology?

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Exponential growth occurs when a population increases by a constant proportion over time, resulting in a rapid increase in size. This type of growth is typically seen in ideal conditions with abundant resources.

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What is immigration in the context of population ecology?

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Immigration refers to the movement of individuals into a population from other areas, contributing to population growth.

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What is carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the habitat.

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What percentage of energy do herbivores typically receive from plants?

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Herbivores typically receive about 10% of the energy stored in plants.

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What is the difference between logistic growth and exponential growth?

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Logistic growth occurs when a population's growth rate decreases as it approaches the carrying capacity, while exponential growth continues unchecked until resources are limited.

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What is a food web pyramid?

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A food web pyramid illustrates the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem, showing producers at the base and top predators at the apex.

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What is a density-dependent factor?

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Density-dependent factors are environmental conditions that affect a population's growth based on its density, such as competition, predation, and disease.

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What is emigration in population ecology?

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Emigration is the movement of individuals out of a population, which can lead to a decrease in population size.

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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 producers to various levels of consumers.

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What is the role of carnivores in an ecosystem?

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Carnivores are organisms that primarily consume other animals, playing a crucial role in controlling prey populations and maintaining ecosystem balance.