Population ecology

Ecology

Study of organism interactions and environments.

Population

Group of same species in a specific area.

Community

Multiple populations of different species interacting.

Ecosystem

Community plus abiotic environmental factors.

Biosphere

Global sum of all ecosystems on Earth.

Demography

Statistical study of population characteristics.

Population Size

Total number of individuals in a population.

Population Density

Number of individuals per unit area.

Species Distribution

Spatial arrangement of individuals in a population.

Random Distribution

Individuals distributed without a predictable pattern.

Clumped Distribution

Individuals grouped in patches or clusters.

Uniform Distribution

Even spacing of individuals across an area.

Life History

Typical pattern of survival and reproduction events.

Fecundity

Total number of offspring produced by an organism.

Parental Care

Investment of resources in offspring survival.

Survivorship Curve

Graph showing mortality rates across ages.

Type I Survivorship

Low early mortality, high late mortality.

Type II Survivorship

Constant mortality rate throughout life.

Type III Survivorship

High early mortality, low later mortality.

Semelparous

Reproduces once and then dies.

Iteroparous

Reproduces multiple times during its life.

Exponential Growth

Population growth with unlimited resources.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that levels off at carrying capacity.

Carrying Capacity (K)

Maximum population size an environment can support.

Limiting Factors

Environmental conditions restricting population growth.

Energy Allocation

Distribution of energy among growth, survival, reproduction.

Life History Trade-Offs

Balancing energy between competing life functions.

Population Overshoot

Population exceeds carrying capacity temporarily.