Distribution and abundance (WIP)

dihstribution and abuhndance

Population density

Number of individuals per unit of volume or area

Population distribution

Describes the location of individuals within an area

Dispersion

How the individuals in a population are spread out

Within its geographical boundaries

Abundance

Number of individuals;

either local population or throughout geographic range

What are the 4 ways to measure populations?

1. Density

2. Distribution

3. Transects

4. Quadrants

Population density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume

(unit area = terrestrial organisms)

(volume = aquatic organisms)

Low population densities

Individuals are spaced well apart

What are 2 examples of low population densities?

1. Tigers (solitary mammalian species)

2. Plant species in marginal environments

High population densities

Individuals are crowded together

What are three examples of high population densities?

Colonial animals

1. Rabbits

2. Corals

3. Termites

Random distribution

Considered random if the position of each individual is independent of the others