Q: If the per capita birth rate $b = 0.04$ and the per capita death rate $m = 0.01$ in a population of $N = 500$, what is the expected change in population size $\Delta N$ over one year?

$\Delta N = (b - m) \times N = (0.04 - 0.01) \times 500 = 15$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes a population in the context of population ecology?

Accepted Answer

A group of individuals of a single species living in the same general area.

Question 2

A survivorship curve that is approximately a straight line, as seen in Belding's ground squirrels, indicates which pattern of survivorship?

Accepted Answer

Type II: a constant death rate over the organism's life span.

Question 3

Which of the following is a trade-off associated with a Type III survivorship curve?

Accepted Answer

Producing many offspring with little or no parental care.

Question 4

Given the population growth equation $\Delta N = B - D$, where $B$ is the number of births and $D$ is the number of deaths during a time interval, what is the population size change if $B = 120$ and $D = 80$?

Accepted Answer

$\Delta N = 40$

Question 5

If the per capita birth rate $b = 0.04$ and the per capita death rate $m = 0.01$ in a population of $N = 500$, what is the expected change in population size $\Delta N$ over one year?

Accepted Answer

$\Delta N = (b - m) 	imes N = (0.04 - 0.01) 	imes 500 = 15$

Question 6

Which equation correctly represents the exponential population growth model?

Accepted Answer

$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN$

Question 7

A population of elephants in a national park grows rapidly after hunting is banned. Which growth model best describes this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth model

Question 8

In the logistic growth model, what happens to the per capita rate of increase as the population size $N$ approaches the carrying capacity $K$?

Accepted Answer

It declines as $N$ approaches $K$.

Question 9

Which formula represents the logistic population growth model?

Accepted Answer

$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN \left( \frac{K-N}{K} \right)$

Question 10

A population of paramecia in a laboratory overshoots its carrying capacity before stabilizing. What does this suggest about the logistic growth model in real populations?

Accepted Answer

Real populations may overshoot carrying capacity before stabilizing.

Question 11

Which life history trait is most likely to be favored in a species that colonizes disturbed environments, such as dandelions?

Accepted Answer

Producing many small offspring with little parental care.

Question 12

If a population has a per capita rate of increase $r = 0$, what does this indicate about the population's growth?

Accepted Answer

The population size is stable (zero population growth).

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the demographic transition?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

A country has an age structure diagram shaped like a pyramid, with a broad base. What does this indicate about its population growth?

Accepted Answer

The population is likely to experience rapid growth.

Question 15

If the carrying capacity $K$ for a population is 1,500 and the current population size $N$ is 1,000, with an intrinsic rate of increase $r = 0.1$, what is the population growth rate according to the logistic model?

Accepted Answer

$\frac{dN}{dt} = 0.1 	imes 1000 	imes \left( \frac{1500-1000}{1500} ight) = 33.3$

Question 16

Which of the following is a consequence of a country having an average ecological footprint greater than 1.7 global hectares (gha) per person?

Accepted Answer

The country is overshooting sustainable resource use.

Question 17

Which scenario would most likely result in exponential population growth?

Accepted Answer

A population introduced to a new environment with abundant resources.

Question 18

If a population's annual per capita birth rate is $b = 0.02$ and its per capita death rate is $m = 0.03$, what is the per capita rate of increase $r$?

Accepted Answer

$r = b - m = 0.02 - 0.03 = -0.01$

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why unlimited exponential growth is unsustainable in nature?

Accepted Answer

Because resources are depleted as the population gets larger.

Population Ecology: Principles, Models, and Human Impact

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