Spatial Ecology Quiz for bio 2 Lab

Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Spatial Ecology

the study of spatial patterns of organisms and their relationships with ecological phenomena

Dispersion

the distribution of individuals within a population (how they are arranged in space)

three types of dispersion

1. clumped

2. uniform/even

3. random

1. clumped dispersion

Distance between neighbors is minimized (MOST COMMON)

clumped characteristics

patchy resources, limited dispersal of juveniles, herding animals, family groups, avoid predation

2. uniform dispersion

distance between individuals is MAXIMIZED. Occurs when there is strong Competition for resources.

3. Random dispersion

The location of on individual bears no relationship to the locations of other individuals. RARELY found in nature!

Random dispersion characteristics

1. Homogenous environments

2. When individuals neither attract nor repel each other

3. when not enough data is collected

CLARK EVANS NEAREST NEIGHBOR METHOD

1.Measuring the mean distance between an individual and its nearest neighbor.