Demography and Population Ecology

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on demography and population ecology, including terminology related to population dynamics, measures, and life history strategies.

Population Ecology

The study of how populations of organisms interact with their environment and how their numbers change over time.

Population

A group of interacting individuals of a single species in a specific location.

Dispersion

The spatial distribution of individuals within a population, which can be random, uniform, or clumped.

Population Density

The number of individuals of a species per unit area.

Census

A method of measuring population size by counting every individual in a given area.

Mark-Recapture

A method for estimating population size by capturing, marking, releasing, and then recapturing individuals.

Survivorship Curve

A graphical representation that shows the number of individuals of a cohort alive at each age.

Type I Survivorship Curve

A curve characterized by low mortality in early and middle life, with a steep increase in the death rate in older age groups.

Type II Survivorship Curve

A curve that represents a constant mortality rate throughout the lifespan of the species.

Type III Survivorship Curve

A curve that shows high mortality rates for young individuals, but low mortality rates for those that survive early life.

Semelparous

Organisms that reproduce only once in their lifetime.

Iteroparous

Organisms that reproduce multiple times during their lifespan.

Life History

The suite of traits related to reproduction and survival shaped by natural selection, including reproductive onset, frequency, and output.

r-selection

A strategy characterized by high reproductive rates with many offspring, typically in unstable environments.

K-selection

A strategy focused on producing fewer offspring, each with a higher chance of survival, typically in stable environments.

Trade-off

A balance between competing demands, such as survival and reproduction, impacting reproductive strategies.

Age Structure

The distribution of individuals of different ages within a population.

Sex Ratio

The ratio of males to females in a population.