General Ecology - Exam 2

What is a population?

All of the individuals of the same species that interact in the same time and space

What is the population growth rate equation?

net change in population divide by change in time

When is geometric growth used? What is the geometric growth equation?

applied to populaitons with discrete periods of reproduction (breeding seasons, ex. quail); N = No(lambda)^t

When is exponential growth used? What is the exponential growth equation?

applied to populations with continuous constant periods of reproduction (ex. bacteria); N = Noe^(rt)

What is the equation for doubling time?

t = (ln2)/r

What are density independent factors?

factors that limit population size regardless of population density

What are examples of density independent factors?

natural disasters, extreme temperatures, drought

What are density-dependent factors?

factors that limit population size more or less depending on population density (composed of negative and positive density dependence)

What is negative density dependence?

population growth rate decreases with increasing population density (ex. food, nesting sites, space)

What is positive density dependence?

population growth rate increases with increasing population density