Population Ecology

Which two processes contribute to an increase in population size?

• Births and emigration

• Deaths and immigration

• Births and immigration

• Deaths and emigration

What term describes the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support?

• Intrinsic growth rate

• Population density

• Carrying capacity

• Logistic growth

Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor affecting population growth?

• Competition for food resources

• Spread of disease

• A severe forest fire

• Predation pressure

What is the correct formula to calculate the change in population size (ΔN) over a given period?

• ΔN = [Births + Deaths] - [Immigration + Emigration]

• ΔN = [Births - Immigration] + [Deaths - Emigration]

• ΔN = [Births - Deaths] + [Immigration - Emigration]

• ΔN = [Births + Immigration] - [Deaths + Emigration]

A population of 20 individuals exhibits exponential growth with an intrinsic growth rate (r) of 0.4. Approximately how many individuals would be in the population after 1 year? (Use e ≈ 2.71)

• 20

• 27

• 30

• 40

Which of the following best describes a population undergoing logistic growth?

• A population that grows indefinitely without any limiting factors.

• A population that experiences rapid growth followed by a sudden crash.

• A population whose growth rate slows as it approaches its carrying capacity.

• A population that maintains a constant size from the beginning.

What is a characteristic of K-selected species?

• They produce many offspring with little parental care.

• Their population sizes often fluctuate dramatically in boom-and-bust cycles.

• They typically have long lifespans and provide extensive parental care.

• They are well-adapted to unstable environments.

A species that exhibits a Type III survivorship curve is characterized by:

• High survival rates throughout their lives, with most mortality occurring in old age.

• A constant mortality rate regardless of age.

• High mortality rates early in life, with few individuals surviving to old age.

• Fluctuating mortality rates due to predator-prey interactions.