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 occupying the same general area, using the same resources, and likely to interact and breed with one another.

Question 2

Which dispersion pattern would you most likely observe in a population of termites living in damp, rotting wood?

Accepted Answer

Clumped dispersion, because resources are patchy and individuals aggregate where conditions are favorable.

Question 3

A survivorship curve that shows a high probability of surviving to adulthood, followed by a rapid decline in survivorship in old age, is classified as which type?

Accepted Answer

Type I

Question 4

Which equation describes exponential population growth?

Accepted Answer

$$G = rN$$

Question 5

In the logistic growth model, at what population size does the population increase most rapidly?

Accepted Answer

When the population size $$N is $$about half the carrying capacity $$K.$$

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A contagious disease that spreads more easily as population density increases.

Question 7

A population of rabbits in a field grows according to the exponential growth model. If the per capita rate of increase $$r = 0.2$$ and the current population size $$N = 500$$, what is the population growth rate $$G$$?

Accepted Answer

$$G = 100$$

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a Type III survivorship curve?

Accepted Answer

Low survivorship in early life, with few individuals reaching adulthood.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A hurricane that destroys nesting sites regardless of population size.

Question 10

Which of the following is a characteristic of r-selected species?

Accepted Answer

Produce many offspring and grow rapidly in unpredictable environments.

Question 11

A population of fish in a lake is managed for sustainable harvest. According to the logistic growth model, at what population size should the fishery aim to maintain the population for the highest sustainable yield?

Accepted Answer

At a population size around half the carrying capacity $$K.$$

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why populations rarely grow exponentially for long periods in nature?

Accepted Answer

Limiting factors such as food, space, and disease eventually slow growth.

Question 13

If a population of kelp perch experiences increased competition for food as density rises, which type of population regulation is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Density-dependent regulation

Question 14

Which of the following equations represents the logistic growth model?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

A population of snowshoe hares exhibits regular boom-and-bust cycles. Which of the following is a likely explanation for these cycles?

Accepted Answer

Interactions between food availability and predation pressure.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a likely result of increasing population density?

Accepted Answer

Decreased impact of density-dependent factors.

Question 17

If a population of 1,000 individuals has a per capita rate of increase $$r = 0.05$$ and a carrying capacity $$K = 2,000$$, what is the logistic growth rate $$G$$?

Accepted Answer

$$G = 50$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes a uniform dispersion pattern?

Accepted Answer

Individuals are evenly spaced, often due to territorial behavior or competition.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of a density-independent factor affecting a population?

Accepted Answer

A forest fire that kills individuals regardless of population density.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about carrying capacity ($$K) is $$correct?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can support, and it can change depending on resource availability.

Population Ecology: Structure and Dynamics

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