Analyzing Populations (Unit 1 Lesson 2)

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What is population dynamics?

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Population dynamics is the study of how populations change in size, density, and structure over time, and the factors that influence these changes.

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What is carrying capacity?

Back

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

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What is the difference between logistic and exponential growth?

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Logistic growth occurs when a population's growth slows as it approaches its carrying capacity, while exponential growth occurs when a population grows rapidly without any limiting factors.

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What is the mark-recapture technique?

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The mark-recapture technique is a method used to estimate the size of a wildlife population by capturing individuals, marking them, and then recapturing them to see how many are marked.

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What factors can limit population growth?

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Factors that can limit population growth include availability of resources, predation, disease, and environmental conditions.

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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 organism to another.

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What is the role of predators in population control?

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Predators help control the population of prey species, preventing overpopulation and promoting a balanced ecosystem.

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What is the significance of genetic diversity in populations?

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Genetic diversity is important for the survival of populations as it increases resilience to diseases and environmental changes.

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What is a keystone species?

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A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance, often maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

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

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