3.3 Population

A population is all the same species that live in the same area.

If there are a group of animals that live in the same area each group of animals is a different population

Population size

For example, in a sugar bush some species like the sugar maple are very common. Others like the white tailed deer, are more rare. for example, a maple syrup producer could say that there are 600 sugar maples and 10 white tailed deer in his sugar bush.

Why would you measure the size of a population?

• To figure out which habitat is best for a species

• To compare the size of one population at different times of the year and from one year to the next. By measuring a population’s size, you can also understand how fragile a species is within a habitat.

How do you measure the size of a population?

• By counting the number of individuals, if possible

• By using samples or clues. For example, you could count the approximate number of ants in a colony and the number of colonies in a sugarbush.