Q: A population of turtles has a carrying capacity ($$K) of 450$$, a current population ($$N) of 300$$, and a maximum rate of increase ($$r_{max}) of 0.75 $$per year. What is the logistic population growth for the next year? (Use $$\frac{dN}{dt} = r$$_{max}$$N\left(1-\frac{N}{K}\right))$$

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = 0.75 \times 300 \left(1-\frac{300}{450}\right) = 0.75 \times 300 \times \frac{1}{3} = 75$$

Q: If a population of 600 has a per capita growth rate $$r = 0.012$$, what is the expected population size the following year?

$$600 + (0.012 \times 600) = 607.2$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a population and a community in ecology?

Accepted Answer

A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area, while a community is all the populations of different species living together in an area.

Question 2

Which two abiotic factors are most important in determining the distribution of terrestrial biomes?

Accepted Answer

Precipitation and temperature

Question 3

A population of 300 birds has 25 births and 20 deaths in a year. What will the population size be the following year?

Accepted Answer

$$300 + (25 - 20) = 305$$

Question 4

Which equation represents the exponential growth of a population?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = r$$_{max}$$N$$

Question 5

A population of turtles has a carrying capacity ($$K) of 450$$, a current population ($$N) of 300$$, and a maximum rate of increase ($$r_{max}) of 0.75 $$per year. What is the logistic population growth for the next year? (Use $$\frac{dN}{dt} = r$$_{max}$$N\left(1-\frac{N}{K}\right))$$

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = 0.75 	imes 300 \left(1-\frac{300}{450}ight) = 0.75 	imes 300 	imes \frac{1}{3} = 75$$

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent factor limiting population growth?

Accepted Answer

Disease

Question 7

Which survivorship curve is characterized by high survivorship of young and most mortality occurring in old age, as seen in humans and elephants?

Accepted Answer

Type I

Question 8

Which reproductive strategy is described by producing many small offspring at once, with little or no parental care, and is favored in unstable environments?

Accepted Answer

Semelparity (r-selection)

Question 9

A population pyramid with a broad base and narrow top most likely represents a country with:

Accepted Answer

Rapid population growth

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why the distribution of kangaroos in Australia is limited to certain regions?

Accepted Answer

Abiotic factors such as precipitation and temperature

Question 11

Which pattern of dispersion is most likely to result from territorial behavior in animals?

Accepted Answer

Uniform

Question 12

If a population of 600 has a per capita growth rate $$r = 0.012$$, what is the expected population size the following year?

Accepted Answer

$$600 + (0.012 	imes 600) = 607.2$$

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of K-selected species?

Accepted Answer

Many small offspring

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the logistic growth model?

Accepted Answer

Population growth slows as it approaches carrying capacity

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor?

Accepted Answer

Wildfire

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why some species cannot shift their ranges quickly enough to survive climate change?

Accepted Answer

Their dispersal rate is slower than the rate of environmental change

Question 17

Which of the following is the correct formula for the per capita rate of increase in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$r = \frac{B - D}{N}$$

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of semelparity?

Accepted Answer

Pacific salmon that spawn once and die

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the demographic transition in human populations?

Accepted Answer

A shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates

Question 20

Which of the following is true about the relationship between predator and prey populations, as shown in prey-predator cycles?

Accepted Answer

Predator population size lags behind prey population size

Introduction to Ecology and Population Ecology: Study Notes

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