Principles of Ecology: Populations

These flashcards cover key definitions, concepts, and principles related to population ecology as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is a population?

A group of interbreeding individuals found within a given area at a given time.

What are unitary species?

Species where a zygote grows into a genetically unique organism, like humans and many animals.

Define a 'genet'.

A genetically unique organism developed from a zygote in unitary species.

What is a 'ramet'?

A module produced asexually from a 'genet' in modular organisms.

What is carrying capacity (K)?

The maximum number of individuals that the environment can sustain indefinitely.

What is population density?

The number of individuals in a population divided by the area covered.

What factors affect population dynamics?

Births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.

What does the Mark-Recapture Method estimate?

Population density.

What happens to population growth when births exceed deaths?

The population size increases.

How is population growth represented mathematically?

Nt+1 = Nt + Bt - Dt + It - Et.

What does 'r' represent in population models?

The per capita growth rate.

What is the difference between discrete and continuous population growth models?

Discrete models estimate population size at fixed intervals, while continuous models account for growth at any moment.

Describe logistic growth.

Population growth that slows as it approaches the carrying capacity.

What are density-dependent factors?

Factors that influence population size based on the population's density, such as limited resources.

What are life tables used for?

To summarize demographic changes and survivorship of a population over time.

What do survivorship curves show?

They illustrate the number of individuals surviving at each age in a population.

What are r-selected species?

Species that produce many offspring with less investment in each, often in unstable environments.

What are K-selected species?

Species that produce fewer offspring but invest more resources in their raising, often in stable environments.

What is a meta-population?

Populations throughout a landscape linked through immigration and emigration.