Question 1

Which of the following best describes the mark-recapture method for estimating population size, and what is the correct formula to calculate the estimated population size ($$N$$)?

Accepted Answer

It involves capturing, marking, and releasing individuals, then recapturing a second sample; $$N = \frac{s 	imes n}{x}$$

Question 2

A population of birds is found to have a clumped dispersion pattern. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this pattern?

Accepted Answer

Resources such as food or nesting sites are unevenly distributed, causing individuals to aggregate in patches.

Question 3

Which survivorship curve (Type I, II, or III) best describes a species that produces many offspring, most of which die young, but a few survive to old age? Refer to the survivorship curve graph for support.

Accepted Answer

Type III

Question 4

Which of the following is a density-dependent factor that can regulate population size?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Question 5

A population of bacteria in a laboratory is growing under ideal conditions with unlimited resources. Which growth model best describes this scenario, and what is the equation for exponential growth?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth; $$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN$$

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why populations cannot grow exponentially forever in nature?

Accepted Answer

Resources become limited, leading to increased competition and decreased growth rates.

Question 7

In the logistic growth model, what does the carrying capacity ($$K) $$represent, and how does it affect population growth as $$N$$ approaches $$K$$?

Accepted Answer

$$K is $$the maximum population size an environment can sustain; as $$N$$ approaches $$K$$, growth rate slows and approaches zero.

Question 8

A plant species produces thousands of tiny seeds that are dispersed by wind, but provides no parental care. Which reproductive strategy does this represent, and what is the likely survivorship curve?

Accepted Answer

Semelparity; Type III

Question 9

Which of the following scenarios is an example of density-independent regulation of population size?

Accepted Answer

A drought reduces the food supply, causing a population crash regardless of its density.

Question 10

A country is undergoing demographic transition. Which of the following best describes this process?

Accepted Answer

The population shifts from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the ecological footprint model?

Accepted Answer

It summarizes the combined land and water area needed to sustain a person, city, or nation.

Question 12

If a population of 1000 individuals has 100 births, 50 deaths, 20 immigrants, and 10 emigrants in one year, what is the population size at the end of the year?

Accepted Answer

1060

Question 13

Which of the following is a trade-off commonly observed in life history strategies?

Accepted Answer

Producing few offspring with high parental care or many offspring with low parental care

Question 14

Which of the following mechanisms is NOT a cause of density-dependent regulation?

Accepted Answer

Earthquake

Question 15

A population of fish in a lake is being managed for sustainable harvest. Which growth model should be used to estimate the maximum sustainable yield, and why?

Accepted Answer

Logistic growth model, because it incorporates carrying capacity and resource limitation.

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why some populations overshoot their carrying capacity ($$K) $$before stabilizing?

Accepted Answer

There is a time lag between resource depletion and changes in birth/death rates.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of iteroparity?

Accepted Answer

A tree that produces seeds every year for decades.

Question 18

If a population's per capita birth rate is 0.2 and per capita death rate is 0.1, what is the per capita rate of increase ($$r$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.1$$

Question 19

Which of the following best describes a population with a uniform dispersion pattern?

Accepted Answer

Individuals are evenly spaced, often due to territorial behavior.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about human population growth is correct?

Accepted Answer

Most current global population growth is concentrated in less industrialized countries.

Population Ecology: Structure, Dynamics, and Regulation

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