Population Changes

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What species have humans negatively impacted their population numbers?

Ecologists study aspects of ecosystems for signs that the ecosystem is healthy or not. An important area that scientists look at is organisms populations.

What would a healthy population of native trees look like?

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Population Changes

Population refers to a group of organisms of the same species. Each individual organism in an ecosystem contributes to the biodiversity of that environment. Every population interacts with others to maintain the health and balance of an ecosystem. Ecologists will often study three main aspects of a population:

• the size of the population

• how much area that population covers

• the growth of the population

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Population Factors

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Shrinking population numbers may indicate the potential for extinction.

While a growing population can indicate a healthy environment.

Overpopulation occurs when a population has exceeded the resource limits of an ecosystem. When too many organisms are present in an area, some will need to leave, or they will die because of a lack of resources.

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Population Predictions

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How have humans impacted the populations of certain species?

American bison... American buffalo... same thing.

Upwards of 60 million roaming through North America in the early 1800's.

Dwindled down to 300 by the end of the 1800's!

Why?​

American Buffalo

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How do you think the loss of the buffalo affected the ecosystem?

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In your own words, what does a healthy population of organisms mean?