BC 2272 Ecology

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts from the BC 2272 Ecology lecture notes.

What is the estimated population size of terrapins in Doboy Sound if 30 were marked and 5 out of 40 captured were recaptures?

The estimated population size of terrapins is 240.

What is the intrinsic growth rate of cane toads mentioned in the lecture?

The intrinsic growth rate of cane toads is 2 cane toads/year.

How do you calculate the future population size with an intrinsic growth rate of 2 cane toads/year starting from 10 cane toads over 3 years?

Using the formula Nt = N0 * e^(rt), the population becomes 4050 cane toads.

What is the intrinsic growth rate of cane toads in Canada?

The intrinsic growth rate is 0.5.

Will cane toads be able to establish a population in Canada given the intrinsic growth rate of 0.5?

Yes, because r > 0 indicates the population will increase.

What is the carrying capacity of cane toads if the population is growing fastest when N = 400?

The carrying capacity (K) is 800.

Which population exhibits unrestricted growth based on the data provided?

Population 1 exhibits unrestricted growth.

What is the net reproductive rate (Ro) for the species mentioned in the life table?

The net reproductive rate (Ro) is 2.1.

How many eggs will there be next year if 10 frogs each lay 100 eggs?

There will be 1000 eggs next year.

What equation determines the population dynamics involving predator and prey isoclines?

dP/dt = 0 and dN/dt = 0 are the equilibrium equations for predator and prey populations.

What is the competitive exclusion principle?

Two species cannot coexist indefinitely if they are both limited by the same resource.

If two species compete for nitrogen with different R* values, which species will prevail?

Species 2, which has a lower R* value, should win out.

What factors can affect the outcome of competition?

Harsh abiotic conditions, disturbances, and predation/herbivory can affect competition outcomes.

What do we infer about non-native predators' impact on native prey?

Non-native predators can cause devastation because native prey have not evolved defenses against them.

How will the equilibrium point change if a disturbance wipes out prey?

There will be no change in equilibrium but predator populations will cycle around the point; if prey are eliminated, predators will go extinct.

What type of disease transmission does the flu involve?

Direct transmission (or direct horizontal transmission).

What type of life cycle does the studied parasite exhibit?

A complex life cycle with horizontal transmission through multiple hosts.

If an emerging disease has an R0 of 1.5, will it spread or die out?

It will spread.

What is the proportion of the population that needs to be vaccinated to eradicate a disease with R0 = 1.5?

Approximately 32% of the population needs to be vaccinated.