Which of the following correctly matches a pattern of population dispersion with its primary cause and an example?

• A. Random dispersion: caused by territorial behavior; example: penguins nesting on a beach
• B. Clumped dispersion: caused by competition for space; example: creosote bushes in a desert
• C. Clumped dispersion: caused by resource availability; example: elephants gathering around a waterhole
• D. Uniform dispersion: caused by random events; example: dandelions in a meadow

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the three types of population dispersion patterns: random, clumped, and uniform. Random dispersion occurs when individuals are distributed unpredictably, clumped dispersion occurs when individuals are grouped in patches, and uniform dispersion occurs when individuals are evenly spaced.
2. Step 2: Analyze the causes of each dispersion pattern. Random dispersion is typically caused by the absence of strong attractions or repulsions among individuals. Clumped dispersion is often driven by resource availability or social behavior. Uniform dispersion is usually caused by territorial behavior or competition for resources.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the examples provided in the problem. For instance, penguins nesting on a beach exhibit uniform dispersion due to territorial behavior, not random dispersion. Similarly, creosote bushes in a desert exhibit uniform dispersion due to competition for space, not clumped dispersion.
4. Step 4: Identify the correct match. Clumped dispersion is correctly associated with resource availability, as seen in the example of elephants gathering around a waterhole. This behavior is driven by the need to access a shared resource (water).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is: 'Clumped dispersion: caused by resource availability; example: elephants gathering around a waterhole,' as it accurately matches the pattern, cause, and example.