Population Dynamics and Stability Concepts

The video tutorial explores the dynamics of births and deaths in populations, using a token model activity to simulate changes in population size. Students learn to graph these changes and understand the concepts of stability and change. The lesson emphasizes that populations can remain stable even with ongoing births and deaths, as long as these rates are balanced. Key concepts include the impact of births and deaths on population size and the importance of balance for stability.

What is always happening in a population, even if the size doesn't change?

• Only births

• Only deaths

• Both births and deaths

• Neither births nor deaths

In the token model, what do the tokens represent?

• Different species

• Individual organisms

• Food resources

• Environmental factors

How many births and deaths can you choose per year in the token model?

• 1 to 2

• 1 to 3

• 2 to 4

• 3 to 5

What happens to the population size when the number of births equals the number of deaths?

• The population size decreases

• The population size fluctuates

• The population size increases

• The population size remains stable

What does a flat line on a population graph indicate?

• Population increase

• Population decrease

• Population stability

• Population extinction

What tool do ecologists commonly use to show data about populations?

• Bar graphs

• Pie charts

• Line graphs

• Scatter plots

What is the key concept that explains a system can be stable even with changes?

• Population control

• Dynamic balance

• Stability and change

• Equilibrium

If there are more births than deaths, what will happen to the population size?

• It will decrease

• It will remain stable

• It will increase

• It will fluctuate

What analogy is used to explain population stability in the video?

• A growing tree

• A flowing river

• A liquid in a container

• A balanced scale

What is the effect on population size if births are fewer than deaths?

• The population will remain stable

• The population will increase

• The population will fluctuate

• The population will decrease