Ecology and Population Dynamics Vocab

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Mass extinction

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An event in which a large percentage of all living species become extinct.

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Dispersion

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The way in which individuals of a population are spread in a given area.

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Types of dispersion

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Random, Uniform, Clumped.

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Random dispersion

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A type of dispersion where individuals are spread out in an unpredictable manner.

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Spatial distribution

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The arrangement of a population in its environment.

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Population density

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The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

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Carrying capacity

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

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Biotic factors

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Living components of an ecosystem that affect population dynamics, such as food availability and predation.

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Abiotic factors

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Non-living components of an ecosystem that affect population dynamics, such as temperature and water availability.

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Speciation

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The process by which new species arise from existing species.