1. POPULATION ECOLOGY
All of the data that can be collected about a population of species in one area

2. POPULATION ECOLOGY
Study of populations in relation to their environment
Explores how biotic and abiotic factors influence density, distribution and demographics of a population
These are all DYNAMIC PROPERTIES
Dynamic: ever changing
Static: stays the same

3. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Density
Density: number of individuals per unit of area or volume
How many organisms occupy a certain space
Estimated
Number of nests, burrows, tracks, calls or fecal matter droppings
Mark-Recapture Method

4. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Density
Mark-Recapture Method
See board for example…

5. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Density
Density is affected by…
Births
Deaths
Immigration: influx of organisms from another population
Emigration: movement of organisms out of a population

6. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Dispersion
Dispersion: pattern of spacing among individuals within boundaries of a population
Three types

7. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Dispersion
Dispersion: pattern of spacing among individuals within boundaries of a population
Three types
Clumped

8. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Dispersion
Dispersion: pattern of spacing among individuals within boundaries of a population
Three types
Clumped
Uniform

9. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Dispersion
Dispersion: pattern of spacing among individuals within boundaries of a population
Three types
Clumped
Uniform
Random

10. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Dispersion

11. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Demography: the study of the vital statistics of populations and how they change over time
Vital statistics = age, survivorship, reproduction rates, fertility schedules

12. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Age
Tracked for survivorship rates (how old when organism dies)
Life Table: age specific summary of survival pattern
Constructed by following a cohort (specific group of people) from birth the death

13. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Age
Tracked for survivorship rates (how old when organism dies)
Life Table: age specific summary of survival pattern
Constructed by following a cohort (specific group of people) from birth the death
Survivorship curve

14. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Survivorship curves
Type I: reflects low death rates at the beginning and mid stages of life; death rates increase at later stages of life
Humans

15. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Survivorship curves
Type II: reflects consistent death rates over all stages of life
Some birds, ground squirrels, some annual plants

16. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Survivorship curves
Type III: reflects high death rates at the beginning stages of life and lower death rates for those who survive the early die off
Organisms that produce large numbers of offspring but offer no to little care in the early stages

17. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Reproduction rates
Ecologists ignore males in these studies
Females giving rise to females
How does reproductive output vary with age?
Reproduction tables: age specific summary of reproductive rates in populations

18. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Reproductive rates are mainly affected by reproduction patterns
All organisms have specific patterns

19. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Big Bang Reproduction: organisms reproduce in mass quantities at very specific times
Salmon
Agave Trees

20. POPULATION ECOLOGY - Demographics
Repeated Reproduction: organisms reproduce on a regular basis (annually, semiannually)
Lizards (eggs)

21. POPULATION ECOLOGY – Population Growth
All populations have the potential to expand
Exponential Growth: population increase under ideal condition
Assumes resources are unlimited
Density Independent
Does not depend on how many other organisms are competing for resources

22. POPULATION ECOLOGY – Population Growth
Logistic Growth: growth model that considers the limits of resources
Growth slows as maximum carrying capacity (K) is reached
Growth stops when K is reached
Density dependent: growth depends on how many organisms are competing

23. POPULATION ECOLOGY – Population Growth
Exponential Growth
Logistic Growth