An ecologist monitoring the number of gorillas in a wildlife ­refuge over a five-year period is studying ecology at which level?a. organismb. populationc. communityd. ecosystem

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the focus of the ecologist's study, which is the number of gorillas.
2. Understand that the study involves only one species, the gorillas, within their environment.
3. Recognize that the term 'population' refers to all individuals of a species living within a specific area.
4. Determine that the study does not include interactions between different species or abiotic factors, which would indicate a community or ecosystem level study.
5. Conclude that the ecologist is studying the gorillas at the population level, as the focus is on one species in a particular area.

Key Concepts

Ecology Levels

Ecology is studied at various levels, including organism, population, community, and ecosystem. Each level represents a different scale of biological organization, from individual organisms to complex ecosystems. Understanding these levels is crucial for analyzing ecological interactions and dynamics.

Population Ecology

Population ecology focuses on the dynamics of species populations and how they interact with their environment. It examines factors such as population size, density, distribution, and growth rates over time. In the context of the question, monitoring gorilla numbers over five years pertains specifically to population ecology.

Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Conservation efforts often focus on maintaining or restoring populations of species, such as gorillas, to ensure ecological balance and prevent extinction. This concept is relevant to understanding the implications of population studies in ecology.