| Characteristics of Populations |
| 1. |
Distinguish between density and dispersion of a population. |
| 2. |
Explain how ecologists may estimate the density of a species. |
| 3. |
Describe conditions that may result in clumped dispersion, uniform dispersion, and random dispersion of individuals in a population. |
| 4. |
Explain how a life table is constructed. |
| 5. |
Distinguish between a life table and a reproductive table. |
| 6. |
Describe the characteristics of populations that exhibit Type I, Type II, and Type III survivorship curves. |
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Life Histories |
| 7. |
Define and distinguish between semelparity and iteroparity. Explain what factors may favor the evolution of each life history strategy. |
| 8. |
Explain, with examples, how limited resources and trade-offs may affect life histories. |
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Population Growth |
| 9. |
Compare the exponential model of population growth with the logistic model. |
| 10. |
Explain how an environment’s carrying capacity affects the per capita rate of increase of a population. |
| 11. |
Explain the meaning of each of the following terms in the logistic model of population growth:
a. rmax
b. K 2 N
c. (K 2 N)/K |
| 12. |
Distinguish between r-selected populations and K-selected populations. |
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Population-Limiting Factors |
| 13. |
Explain how density-dependent factors affect population growth. |
| 14. |
Explain, with examples, how biotic and abiotic factors may work together to control a population’s growth. |
| 15. |
Describe boom-and-bust population cycles, explaining possible causes of lynx/hare fluctuations. |
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Human Population Growth |
| 16. |
Describe the history of human population growth. |
| 17. |
Define the demographic transition. |
| 18. |
Compare the age structures of Italy, Afghanistan, and the United States. Describe the possible consequences for each country. |
| 19. |
Describe the problems associated with estimating Earth’s carrying capacity for the human species. |
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