Ecology Study Guide 2026

Type II survivorship curves are linear on a log scale, indicating a constant probability of dying at any age regardless of age class.

Clumped dispersion is the most common pattern, arising because resources are often patchy and social behaviors attract individuals to the same areas.

A morphological adaptation refers to a structural or physical feature of an organism that helps it survive in its environment. A desert plant storing water in its leaves is a clear example of such an adaptation, as the succulent leaves are a physical modification for water conservation. These adaptations are visible and relate to the organism's body form.

Deforestation removes living carbon stores and often involves burning, releasing stored carbon as CO₂ while eliminating future uptake capacity.

Quadrat sampling counts individuals within randomly placed plots, making it ideal for immobile organisms like plants.

Type III survivorship curves, typical of many invertebrates and fish, show most deaths occurring very early in life with survivors having much better prospects.