c4.1-populations and communities

What is a population?

Population = a group of organisms of the same species that typically interbreed and share a common gene pool.
species ≠ population

A species is the broader group. A population is a particular group of organisms of that species that are actually interacting and typically breeding with each other.

Random sampling

selecting organisms/sample sites so that each has an equal chance of being selected.

Sampling error

the difference/discrepancy between the estimated value from a sample and the true value of the whole population.

Sampling error vs sampling bias

Sampling bias → the method systematically favours certain individuals/sites, so the sample isn't representative.

Sampling error → the sample differs from the true population simply because you're estimating from only part of the population.

sessile organisms.

organisms that are fixed in one place and do not move around.

Carrying capacity

the maximum population size that an environment can sustain over a certain period of time.