Introduction to Ecology (Population Ecology)

What is population ecology?

• The study of how populations of organisms interact with their environment and how factors such as birth rates, death rates, and migration affect population size and distribution.

• The analysis of the genetic variations within a population over time.

• The examination of the physical characteristics of organisms in a specific area.

• The exploration of the relationships between different species in an ecosystem.

What is an abiotic factor?

• A living organism that interacts with others in an ecosystem.

• A non-living component of an ecosystem that can influence population dynamics.

• A type of biotic factor that includes plants and animals.

• A measure of the biodiversity in an ecosystem.

What is a limiting factor?

• A resource that enhances the growth of a population.

• A condition that has no effect on population growth.

• Any resource or condition that restricts the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population within an ecosystem.

• A factor that only affects the distribution of a population.

Define random dispersion.

• A pattern of spacing where individuals are distributed in an unpredictable manner, without a specific pattern or order.

• A uniform distribution of individuals across a given area.

• A clustering of individuals in specific areas due to environmental factors.

• A systematic arrangement of individuals in a linear fashion.

What is the carrying capacity of an environment?

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

• The total biomass of all species in an environment.

• The minimum number of individuals required for a species to survive.

• The average number of individuals that an environment can support during a drought.

What is a population?

• A group of individuals of different species living in the same area.

• A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same geographic area and can interbreed.

• A collection of organisms that cannot reproduce with each other.

• A random assortment of animals in a zoo.

How do predators affect prey populations?

• Predators have no effect on prey populations.

• Predators can increase prey populations by providing competition.

• Predators can regulate prey populations by controlling their numbers, which can lead to fluctuations in both predator and prey populations over time.

• Predators only affect the population of other predators.

What is a biotic factor?

• Biotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem that can affect the population size and distribution.

• Biotic factors are the physical environment in which organisms live.

• Biotic factors are chemical substances that affect living organisms.

What is the difference between a population and a community?

• A population consists of individuals of different species, while a community includes individuals of the same species.

• A population consists of individuals of the same species, while a community includes multiple species interacting in a shared environment.

• A population is a group of organisms that live in the same habitat, while a community is a group of organisms that do not interact.

• A population is always larger than a community, which is made up of smaller groups.

What is a community in ecology?

• A community is a group of different species that live together in a specific area and interact with each other.

• A community is a single species that dominates a specific area.

• A community is a collection of abiotic factors in an ecosystem.

• A community is a random assortment of organisms that do not interact.