1	Population Ecology
2	"Population" Population: individuals of a single species that occupy the same general area, they rely on the same resources, are influenced by the same environmental factors and have a high likelihood of interacting with each other.
3	"Population size" Population size N =(B-D)+(I+M)
4	Density and Dispersion Measuring Density: Transects
5	"Animals - Capture Recapture Method" Animals - Capture Recapture Method N = Number marked X Total catch second Time/Number of Marked Recaptures
6	Distribution Patterns
7	Demography The study of vital statistics of populations and how they change over time. Birth rates, death rates Life tables
8	Table 52.1 Life Table for Cactus Ground Finches
9	"Survivorship curves" Survivorship curves
10	Survivorship curves
11	Reproductive rates Populations can be viewed as “females giving rise to new females”.
12	Evolution of natural history traits Natural selection favors traits that improves an species chances of survival and reproductive success. Factors: - clutch size - number of reproductive episodes - time to first reproduction
13	"Clutch size" Clutch size
14	"Number of reproductive episodes" Number of reproductive episodes Semeloparity – one reproductive episode
15	"Iteroparity – many reproductive episodes" Iteroparity – many reproductive episodes
16	Life History “Equilibrial” K-selected, Life history - stable population size - Large well developed offspring, Small Clutch size, Parental Care - Type 1 survivorship curve “Opportunistic” r-selected, Life History, - unstable population size, boom-bust -Many small offspring, No parental care - Type 3 survivorship curve
17	Population Growth Models Exponential growth Growth = rN
18	Exponential growth
19	"Exponential growth can’t continue indefinitely" Exponential growth can’t continue indefinitely. Resources would become limiting and population growth would slow and stop. “Carrying capacity” (K) – the number of individuals that can be supported by the available recourses. Logistic Growth
20	Logistic Growth
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22	"“Equilibrial" “Equilibrial” K-selected species Generally have logistic type growth curve and maintain stable population levels around the carrying capacity of the environment “Opportunistic” r-selected species Generally show exponential growth and have a “boom and bust” type of population growth.
23	Population regulation Q1 What environmental factors stop a population from growing? Q2 Why do some populations show radical fluctuations over time, and others remain more stable? Density independent vs. Density dependent population regulation.
24	Density independent population regulation When the birth rate does not change as the population rises. Populations decline only when members are killed off by natural disasters e.g. forest fires, hurricanes, storms etc. (NB. Death not due to “bad genes” death is due to “bad luck”).
25	Density Dependent population regulation As population density increases birthrate declines and/or death rate increases. eg. Competition for resources – nutrients, food. Space: - “Territoriality”
26	"Health – disease and parasite..." Health – disease and parasite transmission
27	"Predation- as prey species population..." Predation- as prey species population increases it becomes easier for predators to find prey.
28	"Toxic waste" Toxic waste Organisms in closed systems can produce toxic waste which poisons their growth.
29	"Intrinsic factors" Intrinsic factors High population densities can cause reduction in birth rates due to stress and antagonistic behaviors.
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31	Population fluctuations
32	Population cycles in snowshoe hare and lynx
33	Human Population Growth
34	Age structures of three nations