Q: If a population of 500 individuals has an intrinsic rate of increase $$r = 0.1$$ and a carrying capacity $$K = 1,500$$, what is the population growth rate according to the logistic model?

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = 0.1 \times 500 \times \left( \frac{1500-500}{1500} \right) = 33.3$$

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

Which type of survivorship curve is characterized by high mortality rates early in life, followed by lower mortality rates for survivors, and is typical of species that produce many offspring with little or no parental care?

Accepted Answer

Type III

Question 3

A population of Belding's ground squirrels shows a straight-line survivorship curve. What does this indicate about their mortality rate?

Accepted Answer

Mortality rate is constant throughout the life span.

Question 4

Which equation correctly represents the change in population size over a fixed time interval, ignoring immigration and emigration?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta N = B - D$$

Question 5

If a population has an annual per capita birth rate $$b = 0.05$$ and a per capita death rate $$m = 0.02$$, what is the per capita rate of increase $$r$$?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.03$$

Question 6

Which of the following equations describes exponential population growth?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

A population of elephants in Kruger National Park grew rapidly after hunting was banned. Which model best describes this initial growth phase?

Accepted Answer

Exponential growth model

Question 8

What is carrying capacity ($$K) in $$population ecology?

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size an environment can support.

Question 9

Which equation represents the logistic growth model?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

In the logistic growth model, what happens to the population growth rate as $$N$$ approaches $$K$$?

Accepted Answer

It decreases and approaches zero.

Question 11

Which life history trait is most likely to be favored in a species living in a highly disturbed environment?

Accepted Answer

Producing many small offspring with little parental care.

Question 12

A population has a per capita birth rate $$b = 0.04$$ and a per capita death rate $$m = 0.04. $$What is the per capita rate of increase $$r$$ and what does this mean for the population?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0$$; the population size remains stable.

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why exponential growth cannot be sustained indefinitely in natural populations?

Accepted Answer

Resources become depleted as population size increases.

Question 14

If a population of 500 individuals has an intrinsic rate of increase $$r = 0.1$$ and a carrying capacity $$K = 1,500$$, what is the population growth rate according to the logistic model?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = 0.1 	imes 500 	imes \left( \frac{1500-500}{1500} ight) = 33.3$$

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-world example of a population experiencing exponential growth?

Accepted Answer

Elephants in Kruger National Park after hunting was banned.

Question 16

What is the ecological footprint, and why is it important in population ecology?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Which demographic pattern is associated with the demographic transition in human populations?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

If a country has an age structure diagram shaped like a pyramid, what does this indicate about its population growth?

Accepted Answer

Rapid population growth due to a large proportion of young individuals.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Producing many small offspring versus few large offspring.

Question 20

A population of Daphnia in a laboratory overshoots its carrying capacity before settling to a stable density. What does this suggest about the logistic growth model?

Accepted Answer

Real populations may temporarily exceed carrying capacity before stabilizing.

Population Ecology: Principles, Models, and Human Impact

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