Deck 53: Introduction to Ecology Population Ecology

Question 1

Communities are composed of all of the:

A) communities of all the different populations that live together within an area.
B) ecosystems within the biosphere.
C) populations of all the different species that live together within an area.
D) various dispersal patterns of the different species within a given area.
E) population's females' combined reproductive capabilities within the same given unit of time.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The organisms associated with patches of floating ocean vegetation would be an example of:

A) random dispersion
B) density-independent distribution
C) uniform dispersion
D) density-dependent distribution
E) clumped dispersion

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Which of the following organisms would have the highest intrinsic rate of increase?

A) bacteria
B) blue whales
C) red grouse
D) elephants
E) humans

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following relationships is incorrectly paired?

A) schooling fish − aggregated distribution
B) nesting seabirds − random dispersion
C) grove of aspen − clumped dispersion
D) flour beetle larvae − random dispersion
E) adult sand pine − uniform dispersion

Question 5

____ is the least frequent of the dispersal patterns seen in nature.

A) Random dispersion
B) Aggregated distribution
C) Uniform dispersion
D) Density-dependent distribution
E) Clumped dispersion

Question 6

What would be the growth rate ( r ) of an island population of 1000 that has 30 births per 100 population, 20 death per 100 population, 5 immigrants per 100 population, and 10 emigrants per 100 population?

A) +5
B) − 50
C) +50
D) − 150
E) +150

Question 7

Figure 53-1 The graph in the accompanying figure would best be described as:

A) being characteristic of exponential growth.
B) being characteristic of arithmetic growth.
C) an S-shaped curve.
D) a J-shaped curve.
E) being a J-shaped curve characteristic of exponential growth.

Question 8

When r = 0.00001, the population size:

A) will increase.
B) will decrease.
C) is stable.
D) may increase or decrease, depending on K .
E) may increase or decrease, depending on i .

Question 9

What term refers to the average rate at which organisms produce offspring?:

A) doubling time
B) natality
C) emigration
D) stasis
E) survivorship

Question 10

Natural selection acts most directly on:

A) populations.
B) communities.
C) ecosystems.
D) the biosphere.
E) K- selected organisms.

Question 11

At zero population growth:

A) b = d.
B) b > d.
C) b d.
D) r > 0.
E) r > K .

Question 12

Biologists in which of the following applied disciplines must understand population ecology?

A) forestry
B) agronomy
C) wildlife management
D) forestry and agronomy
E) forestry, agronomy, and wildlife management

Question 13

Figure 53-1 The equation that would best describe the curve in the accompanying figure is:

A) dN / dt = r .
B) dN / dt = N .
C) dN / dt = rN .
D) dN / dt = rN + I − e .
E) dN / dt = rN ( K − N ).

Question 14

Which of the following series correctly represents the hierarchical organization within ecology?

A) ecosystem → population → community → biosphere
B) biosphere → community → population → ecosystem
C) community → population → ecosystem → biosphere
D) population → community → ecosystem → biosphere
E) population → ecosystem → community → biosphere

Question 15

When r = − 0.00057, the population size:

A) will increase.
B) will decrease.
C) is stable.
D) may increase or decrease, depending on K .
E) may increase or decrease, depending on i .

Question 16

The best definition of population density is the number of individuals:

A) of all species in a given area.
B) of one species in a given area.
C) in a given area at a given time.
D) of all species in a given area at a given time.
E) of one species in a given area at a given time.

Question 17

Which of the following consists of organisms, all of which share a common gene pool?

A) a community
B) a population
C) a biosphere
D) an ecosystem
E) a landscape

Question 18

Clumped dispersion is often influenced by:

A) the presence of strange groups.
B) sexual reproduction in plants or invertebrates.
C) unlimited seed dispersal in plants.
D) a patchy distribution of resources.
E) homogenous environments.

Question 19

Which set of values would result in a population with a growth rate of zero?

A) b = 1000, d = 500, i = 750, e = 1000
B) b = 1000, d = 500, i = 1000, e = 1000
C) b = 1000, d = 500, i = 1500, e = 1000
D) b = 1000, d = 500, i = 0, e = 1000
E) b = 1000, d = 500, i = 500, e = 1000

Question 20

The logistic equation:

A) models a J-shaped growth curve.
B) takes into account the carrying capacity of the environment.
C) predicts continued exponential growth.
D) characterizes the uncontrolled growth of a population.
E) models a K -shaped growth curve.

Question 21

When the size of a population greatly exceeds K , we can expect that the population will:

A) rapidly increase.
B) slowly increase.
C) slowly decrease.
D) rapidly decrease.
E) stabilize.

Question 22

Figure 53-3 Based on the accompanying figure, the decline in the moose population in 1996 was most likely due to a(n):

A) predictable increase in the wolf population.
B) unpredictable increase in the wolf population.
C) decrease in the intrinsic rate of increase for the moose population.
D) decline in the food supply.
E) unknown disease organism.

Question 23

The moose population on Isle Royale is an example of:

A) interspecific exploitation competition.
B) intraspecific exploitation competition.
C) interspecific contest competition.
D) intraspecific contest competition.
E) both intraspecific contest competition and scramble competition.

Question 24

Density-independent factors:

A) influence population size and are in turn influenced by changes in population density.
B) may be the result of intense interspecific competition.
C) are typically abiotic.
D) may include parasites.
E) may include diseases.

Question 25

Figure 53-3 According to the data in the accompanying figure, the cause of the decline of the wolf population in 1982 was:

A) a sharp decrease in food supply.
B) a decrease in the intrinsic rate of increase for the wolf population.
C) competition with a newly introduced predator.
D) introduction of a disease organism.
E) cannot be determined from the data provided.

Question 26

The potential capacity to produce offspring is called:

A) life history traits.
B) fitness.
C) age structure.
D) density.
E) fecundity.

Question 27

Generally, r -selected organisms exhibit:

A) short life spans and early maturity.
B) long life spans and extended parental care of offspring.
C) long development time to maturity, but small body size.
D) large body size and extended parental care of offspring.
E) large body size, but short life spans.

Question 28

What is a typical feature of K -selected organisms?

A) early reproduction
B) fast development
C) a low reproductive rate
D) small body size
E) little parental care of offspring

Question 29

Populations that experience significant contest competition:

A) show small changes in population size over time.
B) show great changes in population size over time.
C) are particularly susceptible to extinction.
D) show little intraspecific competition.
E) are characteristic of environments with abundant resources.

Question 30

Which factors are an example of a negative feedback system?

A) density dependent
B) density independent
C) intraspecific competition
D) interspecific competition
E) scramble competition

Question 31

Iteroparity is common in which of the following organisms?

A) perennial herbaceous plants
B) most insects
C) agaves
D) most invertebrates
E) Pacific salmon

Question 32

Which of the following would increase population size?

A) natality
B) mortality
C) emigration
D) an r less than 0
E) an r equal to 0

Question 33

Figure 53-2 On the accompanying figure, identify the point that indicates the carrying capacity for this population.

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) Cannot be determined from this graph.

Question 34

Figure 53-2 The accompanying figure models a(n) __________-shaped growth curve.

A) J
B) S
C) r
D) K
E) b

Question 35

Figure 53-5 Refer to the accompanying figure. A population that produces a large number of offspring, but the offspring must survive independently, would be represented by the curve labeled:

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) either A or B.
E) either A, B, or C.

Question 36

Figure 53-5 Refer to the accompanying figure. How would the survivorship curve for elephants be represented?

A) The curve A
B) The curve B
C) The curve C
D) Either A or C, depending on the species
E) Elephant populations would be better represented by a curve falling between A and B.

Question 37

The growth rate of a population is expressed as:

A) b − d .
B) i − e .
C) K − N .
D) dN / r .
E) ( K − N ) / K .

Question 38

Two members of the same species compete for a limited resource, resulting in equal sharing of the limited resource. What is this called?

A) interspecific scramble competition
B) intraspecific scramble competition
C) interspecific contest competition
D) intraspecific contest competition
E) density-independent competition

Question 39

Figure 53-2 Refer to the accompanying figure. At which point on the graph is the population increasing exponentially?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) There is no exponential increase on this graph.

Question 40

An example of a density-dependent factor that influences the size of a population is:

A) rainfall.
B) temperature.
C) a fire.
D) parasites.
E) an earthquake.

Question 41

____ generally have greater population densities than less suitable sites.

A) Metahabitats
B) Sink habitats
C) Source populations
D) Source habitats
E) K -selected populations

Question 42

The average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime is known as:

A) age structure.
B) replacement-level fertility.
C) natality.
D) total fertility rate.
E) infant mortality rate.

Question 43

Figure 53-4 Based on the accompanying figure, which of the following age intervals has the highest death rate?

A) 0 − 1
B) 1 − 2
C) 2 − 3
D) 3 − 4
E) 4 − 5

Question 44

By the end of the 21^st century, it is expected that the human population will:

A) increase at the fastest rate in the highly developed countries.
B) increase at the fastest rate in the less developed countries.
C) increase at similar rates in all countries.
D) decrease at similar rates in all countries.
E) achieve zero population growth.

Question 45

A population that is divided into several local populations among which individuals occasionally disperse (emigrate and immigrate) is known as a:

A) metapopulation.
B) life table.
C) survivorship curve.
D) source population.
E) sink population.

Question 46

Figure 53-6 Refer to the accompanying figure. Assuming the pattern remains the same, what will the population experience in 50 years?

A) slow growth
B) rapid growth
C) steady state growth
D) negative growth
E) No prediction can be made using these data.

Question 47

Figure 53-4 The accompanying figure is representative of:

A) exponential growth.
B) iteroparity.
C) Type I survivorship.
D) Type III survivorship.
E) Type II survivorship.

Question 48

In a human population with a high proportion of prereproductive individuals, the population will:

A) continue to increase even if the fertility rate is at replacement levels.
B) decline even if the fertility rate is at replacement levels.
C) increase only if the fertility rate is above replacement levels.
D) decline only if the replacement level fertility rate changes.
E) reach ZPG sooner than with a low proportion of prereproductive individuals.

Question 49

Which of the following pairs is incorrectly matched?

A) highly developed countries − infant mortality rate close to 7 per 1000
B) moderately developed countries − fertility rate near 2
C) less developed countries − fertility rate near 5
D) worldwide − 27% of the population is less than 15 years old
E) United States − doubling time 100 years

Question 50

The Earth's carrying capacity is:

A) 1 billion.
B) 1 million.
C) 4 billion.
D) 16 billion.
E) unknown.

Question 51

The world human population has increased dramatically during the past few centuries due to:

A) increased immigration.
B) increased emigration.
C) decreased death rates.
D) increased birth rates.
E) decreased birth rates.

Question 52

Tawny owls (Strix aluco) pair-bond for life, with both members of a pair living and hunting in adjacent, well-defined territories. Their reproduction is regulated in accordance with the resources, especially the food supply, present in their territories. Tawny owls can best described as:

A) r strategists.
B) K strategists.
C) fecundists.
D) life historists.
E) scramblers.

Question 53

What British clergyman and economist was one of the first to recognize that the human population cannot continue to increase indefinitely?

A) Malthus
B) Gause
C) Schoener
D) Peterson
E) Hastings

Question 54

Surplus individuals in the ____ disperse and find another habitat in which to settle and reproduce.

A) metahabitats
B) sink habitats
C) landscape
D) source habitats
E) K -selected habitats.

Question 55

A human population that is shrinking would be characterized by a(n):

A) large proportion of prereproductive individuals.
B) small proportion of prereproductive individuals.
C) large proportion of reproductive individuals.
D) equal number of individuals of all age groups.
E) small proportion of postreproductive individuals.

Question 56

Less-developed countries are most likely to be characterized by:

A) low fertility rates.
B) high GNI PPPs.
C) low doubling times.
D) high use of contraception.
E) high infant mortality rates.

Question 57

Figure 53-6 Figure 53-6 represents the age structure diagram of:

A) the transition stage.
B) the preindustrial state.
C) a moderately developed country.
D) a developing country.
E) a highly developed country.

Question 58

Organisms such as oysters or fish that produce millions of eggs per year may be characterized as:

A) r -selected and having a type I survivorship curve.
B) K -selected and having a type I survivorship curve.
C) r -selected and having a type II survivorship curve.
D) K -selected and having a type II survivorship curve.
E) r -selected and having a type III survivorship curve.

Question 59

____ are good habitats where local reproductive success is greater than local mortality.

A) Metahabitats
B) Sink habitats
C) Source populations
D) Source habitats
E) K -selected habitats

Question 60

In a population characterized by type III survivorship, the probability of survival ____ with age.

A) increases
B) decreases
C) does not change
D) first decreases then increases
E) first increases then decreases

Question 61

A killing frost is an example of a density- independent factor.

Question 62

Territoriality often results in clumped dispersion.

Question 63

Sketch an exponential growth curve with correctly labeled axes. Identify two organisms and the conditions under which they might demonstrate such growth.

Question 64

Most insects and invertebrates are said to be iteroparous .

Question 65

Write out the growth equation including the following factors: natality, mortality, immigration, and emigration. Provide a one-sentence explanation for the impact of each of these factors on the population growth rate.

Question 66

A(n) exponential growth curve has a J shape.

Question 67

Oysters have a(n) Type-II survivorship curve.

Question 68

The most common spacing is random dispersion.

Question 69

An example of a density- independent factor is predation.

Question 70

Members of a(n) r-selected species typically have a short lifespan.

Question 71

A density- dependent factor is an example of a negative feedback system.

Question 72

In Type-I survivorship, the young have a high probability of surviving.

Question 73

Compare and contrast Type I and Type III survivorship curves. Sketch a correctly labeled graph to support your comparison. BONUS: Identify two organisms that represent each of the two types of survivorship strategies discussed here.

Question 74

Scramble competition results when all individuals in a population share the limited resources.

Question 75

K strategists typically produce large numbers of offspring.

Question 76

Species that exhibit repeated reproductive cycles are said to be semelparous .

Question 77

A(n) exponential growth curve levels off at the carrying capacity.

Question 78

Interference competition is also called contest competition.

Question 79

The percentages of a population at different ages are known as the:

A) growth rate.
B) age structure.
C) biotic potential.
D) density.
E) fecundity.

Question 80

The largest population that can be maintained in an environment for an indefinite period of time is called the carrying capacity .