Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
17 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What is ecology?
|
Ecology is the study of how the individuals of a species interact with themselves, other species, and their environment.
|
|
What is the basic unit of ecology?
|
population
|
|
What is a population?
|
A population is a group of individuals of the same species that inhabit the same area.
|
|
What is a population density?
|
Population density is the number of individuals in a population that inhabit a given area.
|
|
What factors have ecologists investigated to affect density?
|
Abiotic
Food Reproduction Predation Behavior Mutualism Infectious disease Parasitism |
|
What is the most common spatial distribution pattern of individuals?
|
Clumped dispersal is the most common spatial distribution pattern of individuals.
|
|
What does clumped dispersal indicate about a species?
|
Clumped dispersal:
Cooperation improves reproduction and hunting. Pathogen and parasite transmission among "groups" are reduced. Each discrete habitat has sufficient abiotic conditions and food. |
|
What is uniform dispersal?
|
Uniform (regular) dispersal relates to resource limitations (limited food, breeding sites, etc.)
Each individual aggressively maintains its space. Animals show territorial behavior. Plants show allelopathy. |
|
What is random dispersal?
|
Random dispersal is due to the absence of strong attractions or repulsions among individuals.
Similar resource availability (food, water, minerals, soil quality, etc) exists throughout the entire habitat. |
|
Cooperative behavior relates to __________ ________.
|
clumped dispersal
|
|
What is demograhy?
|
Demography is the study of the vital statistics (birth and death rate) of a population and how they vary over time.
|
|
Aggressive behavior relates to _________ __________.
|
uniform dispersal
|
|
Absence of attractions among individuals relates to _________ ___________.
|
random dispersal
|
|
Species-specific behaviors and resource availability relates to _________ _________.
|
spatial dispersal
|
|
What is "life history"?
|
"Life history" describes the reproductive pattern (strategy) of a species.
|
|
What is semelparity?
|
Semelparity (big-bang reproduction) is a single, massive reproductive event followed by death.
|
|
What is iteroparity?
|
Iteroparity (repeated reproduction) occurs when offspring are produced once or more per year.
|