Untitled Flashcards Set

Bluegill

A type of sunfish found in freshwater lakes of North America.

Predator-Prey Relationship

The complex interaction between predator species, such as bass, and prey species, like bluegill, where predators hunt and consume their prey.

Ecology

The scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their living and nonliving environments.

Sampling

The process of selecting a number of individuals from a population to represent the entire population for study.

Abundance

The number of individuals per total sample in a population.

Population Density

The number of individuals per specific area.

Species Distribution

How the organisms are spread across a specific area.

Point Sampling

A method used for species that are easy to spot or widely spaced.

Line Transect Method

A sampling method used for species that are not evenly dispersed, focusing on stationary or slow-moving organisms.

Quadrat Sampling

A technique used to determine the density of organisms by counting every organism in a small defined area.

Mark-and-Recapture Technique

A method to estimate population size by capturing, marking, and releasing organisms, then recapturing them to see how many marked individuals are found.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of organisms of a given species that a specific habitat can support.

Environmental Factors

Conditions that affect a population's size, such as temperature, water quality, food availability, and habitat quality.

Systematic Sampling

A sampling method that uses a grid and takes samples at regular intervals.

Random Sampling

A sampling method that creates a random pattern of samples, useful for highly mobile species.

Stratified Sampling

A sampling method that divides a population into strata before sampling to ensure representation from each section.

Population Size Estimation

The process of determining the number of individuals in a population, often using various sampling methods.

Sample Size

The total number of individuals measured in relation to the total population, affecting the accuracy of population estimates.

Mark-and-Recapture Formula

N = M * Z / R, where N is the total estimated population, M is the marked individuals, Z is total captured, and R is marked recaptured.

Population Cycles

Fluctuations in predator and prey populations that occur over time, often resulting in cyclical patterns.

Population Dynamics

The study of how populations change over time, including growth, decline, and oscillation factors.