READING NOTES - Chapter 9

Kelp Forest

A marine community made up of large brown algae such as Laminaria and Nereocystis.

Urchin Barren

An area in nearshore waters dominated by sea urchins, lacking kelp forests.

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area in a specific geographic location.

Metapopulation

A group of geographically isolated populations linked together by dispersal.

Dispersal

The movement of individuals into (immigration) or out of (emigration) an existing population.

Genet

A single genetic individual produced from a single fertilization event.

Ramet

Physiologically independent members of a genet that may compete for resources.

Relative Population Size

An estimate of the number of individuals in one time interval or place compared to another.

Area-based Counts

Methods for estimating population size by counting individuals in a specific area or volume.

Clumped Dispersion

A pattern of distribution where individuals are grouped together in certain areas.

Endemic Species

Species whose geographic range is restricted to a specific location.

Abiotic Environment

Non-living environmental factors that influence the distribution and abundance of species.

Biotic Environment

The living components of an ecosystem that affect the distribution and abundance of a species.

Rescue Effect

The tendency for high immigration rates to protect a population from extinction.

Disturbance

An abiotic event that kills or damages individuals, allowing for opportunities for other individuals.