Ecology Of Populations 2

Question 1

Which term describes the maximum population size an environment can sustain indefinitely given available resources?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum number of individuals an environment can support long-term given its limiting resources.

Question 2

A population grows from 200 to 260 individuals in one year. What is the per capita growth rate (r) for that year?

Accepted Answer

0.30

Answer

Per capita growth rate r = (260 - 200) / 200 = 60 / 200 = 0.30 per individual per year.

Question 3

In a survivorship curve, a Type I curve is characteristic of species that:

Accepted Answer

Have low juvenile mortality and high adult mortality

Answer

Type I survivorship curves show most individuals surviving to old age, then dying rapidly, typical of large mammals including humans.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a density-independent limiting factor for a population?

Accepted Answer

A sudden wildfire destroying habitat

Answer

Density-independent factors like natural disasters affect populations regardless of how many individuals are present.

Question 5

What does the demographic concept of 'generation time' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The average time between birth and first reproduction

Answer

Generation time is the average age at which individuals first reproduce, influencing how quickly a population can grow.

Ecology Practice Test