Free ESA Population Ecology Questions and Answers

Question 1

What term describes the maximum number of individuals an environment can sustainably support?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained indefinitely by a given environment, considering the available food, habitat, water, and other necessities. When a population reaches its carrying capacity, its growth rate typically slows down and stabilizes due to environmental resistance.

Question 2

Which population growth model includes environmental resistance?

Accepted Answer

Logistic growth

Answer

The logistic growth model describes population growth that is initially exponential but slows as the population approaches its carrying capacity due to environmental resistance. This resistance includes factors like limited resources, predation, and disease, which become more impactful as the population density increases. In contrast, exponential growth assumes unlimited resources.

Question 3

In population ecology, what does 'r' represent?

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic growth rate

Answer

In population ecology, 'r' represents the intrinsic rate of natural increase, or intrinsic growth rate. This value is the maximum potential growth rate of a population under ideal conditions, with unlimited resources and no environmental resistance. It is a key parameter in both exponential and logistic growth models.

Question 4

Which of the following is a density-dependent factor?

Accepted Answer

Food availability

Answer

Density-dependent factors are those whose impact on a population's growth rate or mortality increases as the population density increases. Food availability is a classic example; as a population grows, competition for limited food resources intensifies, leading to lower birth rates or higher death rates. Natural disasters and temperature extremes are typically density-independent.

Question 5

What type of survivorship curve is typical of species that produce many offspring with low survival rates?

Accepted Answer

Type III

Answer

A Type III survivorship curve is characteristic of species that produce a large number of offspring but provide little to no parental care, resulting in very high mortality rates early in life. However, those few individuals that survive their early vulnerable stages tend to live relatively long lives. Examples include many insects, fish, and marine invertebrates.

ESA - Ecological Society of America Certified Ecologist Practice Test

ESA - Ecological Society of America Certified Ecologist Practice Test

Free ESA Population Ecology Questions and Answers