1. Chapter 36: Population Ecology

2. Population density
The # of individuals of a species per unit area or volume
Dispersion pattern: the way individuals are spaced within an area
1. clumped dispersion: grouped in patches

3. Dispersion patterns Uniform dispersion: distributed evenly
Random distribution: spaced unpredictably

4. Life Tables Track survivorship
Survivorship curves: plot survivorship as a proportion of individuals from an initial population that are alive at each age
3 types: I, II, and III

5. Exponential Growth model
An idealized picture of unregulated population growth- a J curve
G=rN
G- growth rate
R-the max capacity of members of that population to reproduce
N-population size

6. Logistic growth model
Description of idealized population growth that is slowed by limiting factors as population size increases- S shaped curve

7. Carry capacity
Maximum population size that an environment can sustain

8. Density dependent Population growth decreases as density increases
Competition
Availability of space
Predation
Weather
Environmental factors

9. Boom and Bust Boom: rapid exponential growth
Bust: population falls back to normal levels

10. Sustainable Resource Management
Harvest crops without damaging the resource
Maximum sustained yield: harvesting should be done at a level that produces a consistent yield without forcing a population decline

11. Demographic Transition
A shift from 0 population growth where birth and death are = to 0 population growth where there is are low birth and death
Age structure: # of individuals in different age groups

12. Ecological footprint
An estimate of the amount of land required to provide the raw materials an individual or nation consumes