Chapter 53: Population Ecology

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from Chapter 53 on Population Ecology, enabling students to reinforce their understanding of population dynamics, growth models, and ecological principles.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species inhabiting a specific area at the same time.

Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Dispersion

The spatial distribution of individuals within a population.

Demographics

Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

Exponential Growth Model

A model that describes population growth in an idealized, unlimited environment.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Life History

The series of changes undergone by an organism during its lifetime, particularly regarding reproduction.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that affect population growth in relation to the population density.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors that affect population growth regardless of the population density.

Semelparity

A reproductive strategy where an organism reproduces once in a lifetime.

Iteroparity

A reproductive strategy where an organism reproduces multiple times throughout its life.

K-Selection

A reproductive strategy characterized by the production of fewer offspring that are well adapted to their environment.

r-Selection

A reproductive strategy characterized by the production of many offspring with little investment in each.

Demographic Transition

The transition from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as a country develops.

Immigration

The movement of individuals into a population.

Emigration

The movement of individuals out of a population.

Survivorship Curves

Graphs that represent the number of individuals from a cohort that will survive to subsequent ages.

Cohort

A group of individuals of the same age, often studied over a period of time.

Metapopulation

A group of spatially isolated populations that are connected by dispersal.