Population ecology – growth, regulation, strategies - Question Bank
1. Which of the following is a density-dependent factor that can regulate population size?
2. What is the 'generation time' in population ecology?
3. When a population reaches its carrying capacity, the growth rate approaches:
4. In a predator-prey population cycle, an increase in the prey population typically leads to:
5. Which type of population growth model assumes a constant environment and unlimited resources?
6. What is the ultimate goal of population regulation mechanisms for a species?
7. Which of the following is a characteristic often associated with semelparous species?
8. Which of the following is a characteristic often associated with iteroparous species?
9. What is the concept of 'iteroparity' in population ecology?
10. What is the concept of 'semelparity' in population ecology?
11. Which term refers to the actual number of offspring produced by an individual?
12. What is the term for the maximum number of offspring an individual can produce in its lifetime?
13. A population with a large proportion of old individuals is likely to experience:
14. A population with a large proportion of young individuals is likely to experience:
15. A population's age structure, referring to the proportion of individuals in different age groups (pre-reproductive, reproductive, post-reproductive), influences its future:
16. Allee effects are situations where population growth rate declines at low population densities. This can be due to:
17. Which of the following describes a form of population regulation where the population size oscillates around the carrying capacity?
18. What is an example of a population regulation mechanism?
19. A population that is living near its carrying capacity (K) would likely exhibit:
20. A population that is experiencing a high intrinsic rate of increase (r) would likely exhibit:
21. Which type of species typically invest more resources in parental care and have lower mortality rates, often competing well in stable environments?
22. Organisms with a life history strategy characterized by late reproduction, low reproductive output, and long lifespan, often living in stable environments, are known as:
23. Which type of species typically live in fluctuating environments, are good colonizers, and have high mortality rates?
24. Organisms with a life history strategy characterized by early reproduction, high reproductive output, and short lifespan are often referred to as:
25. What is a 'population strategy' in ecology?
26. Which term refers to the sum of all environmental factors that limit population growth?
27. What is the term for the inherent reproductive capacity of a species under ideal conditions?
28. Which of the following is an example of a density-independent factor?
29. Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent factor?
30. Which factors limit population growth by increasing the death rate or decreasing the birth rate as population size increases?
31. What shape does a population growth curve typically take under logistic growth conditions?
32. The logistic growth equation is often represented by:
33. Which type of population growth occurs when resources become limited, causing the growth rate to slow down and eventually stabilize?
34. What is the maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain indefinitely, given the available resources?
35. What is 'r' in the exponential growth equation (dN/dt = rN)?
36. The mathematical model for exponential population growth is often represented by the equation:
37. What type of population growth occurs when a population's size increases at a constant rate, assuming unlimited resources?
38. Which equation describes the change in population size over time (dN/dt) based on birth, death, immigration, and emigration rates?
39. The movement of individuals out of a population to another area is called:
40. The movement of individuals into a population from another area is known as:
41. What is the term for the death rate of a population?
42. Which demographic parameter refers to the birth rate of a population?
43. What type of population distribution occurs when individuals are spaced unpredictably, with no strong attractions or repulsions?
44. In which type of population distribution do individuals spread out evenly, often due to territoriality or competition?
45. Which type of population distribution is characterized by individuals found in discrete groups, often due to resource availability or social interactions?
46. What is the spatial arrangement of individuals within a population called?
47. Which factor represents the average number of individuals per unit area or volume?
48. Which term describes the number of individuals of a species in a given area or volume?
49. What is the fundamental unit of study in population ecology?