BIOL 355: Ecology - Population Ecology

Endemic species

species that live in a single, often isolated, location

Cosmopolitan species

species with very large geographic ranges that can span several continents

Population size is estimated (mark-recapture) by assuming that

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Dispersion

spacing of individuals within a given area

Ideal free distribution

when individuals distribute themselves among different habitats in a way that allows them to have the same per capita benefit; assumes perfect knowledge of habitat variation

Dispersal

movement of individuals from one area to another

Lifetime dispersal distance

the average distance an individual moves from where it was born to where it reproduces

Dispersal limitation

the absence of a population from suitable habitat because of barriers to dispersal

Habitat corridor

a strip of favorable habitat located between two large patches of habitat that facilitates dispersal (e.g., a narrow band of trees that connects forests)

Exponential growth model equations

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Geometric growth model equations

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Logistic growth model equations

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Inflection point

the point on a sigmoidal growth curve at which the population has its highest growth rate

Cohort Life Tables

Marked individuals continuously tracked over their lives

Static Life Tables

Considers survival and fecundity of all ages in a single time period