FREE Ecology of Populations Questions and Answers
What is the term for when a population grows rapidly in a short period of time under ideal conditions?
Exponential growth occurs when a population grows at a constant rate without limitations, leading to rapid increases in size.
Which factor is most likely to influence the carrying capacity of a population?
Carrying capacity is determined by the resources available in the environment. If resources like food, water, and space are limited, the population will reach a point where it cannot grow further.
What does a population's age structure refer to?
Age structure refers to the distribution of individuals in different age categories, which affects a population's growth rate and survival prospects.
Which of the following would be considered a density-dependent factor affecting population size?
Density-dependent factors are those that have a greater impact as the population density increases. A predator-prey relationship is density-dependent because the more individuals there are, the more likely they are to be preyed upon.
What is the primary focus of population ecology?
Population ecology focuses on the size, density, distribution, and growth patterns of populations, and how these change over time due to various environmental factors.