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

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta N = B - D$$

Question 4

If a population has an annual per capita birth rate $$b = 0.04$$ and a per capita death rate $$m = 0.02$$, what is the per capita rate of increase $$r$$?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 0.02$$

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios would most likely result in exponential population growth?

Accepted Answer

A population introduced to a new environment with abundant resources and no predators.

Question 6

The logistic growth model incorporates carrying capacity ($$K). $$Which equation best represents logistic population growth?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

It decreases and approaches zero.

Question 8

Which life history trait is most likely to be favored in an unstable, disturbed environment?

Accepted Answer

Producing many small offspring with little parental care.

Question 9

A population of 1,000 individuals has an intrinsic rate of increase $$r = 0.1$$ per year. What is the expected change in population size after one year under exponential growth?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta N = 100$$

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Resources become depleted as the population grows larger.

Question 11

If a population's birth rate equals its death rate, what is the per capita rate of increase ($$r) $$and what does this mean for population growth?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

Which survivorship curve type is most characteristic of species that produce few offspring and provide extensive parental care?

Accepted Answer

Type I

Question 13

A country with a population pyramid heavily skewed toward young individuals is likely to experience which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Rapid population growth in the future.

Question 14

Which of the following is a direct consequence of the demographic transition in human populations?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

If the carrying capacity ($$K) $$for a population is 1,500 and the current population size ($$N) is 750$$, with $$r = 0.1$$, what is the population growth rate according to the logistic model?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = 0.1 	imes 750 	imes \left( \frac{1,500 - 750}{1,500} ight) = 0.1 	imes 750 	imes 0.5 = 37.5$$

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the ecological footprint concept?

Accepted Answer

The total land and water area required to sustain a person, city, or nation.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Producing many offspring with little investment in each.

Question 18

If a population overshoots its carrying capacity, what is the most likely outcome?

Accepted Answer

The population size will decrease until it stabilizes near carrying capacity.

Question 19

Which factor is most important in predicting future population growth trends in a country?

Accepted Answer

Age structure of the population.

Question 20

A population of 500 individuals has a per capita birth rate $$b = 0.05$$ and a per capita death rate $$m = 0.03. $$What is the expected change in population size after one year?

Accepted Answer

$$\Delta N = (0.05 - 0.03) 	imes 500 = 0.02 	imes 500 = 10$$

Population Ecology: Principles, Models, and Human Impacts

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