Deck 12: Metapopulations

Question 1

The ________ effect refers to the increasing population size and decreasing risk of extinction, which occurs with an increasing rate of immigration.

Answer 1

rescue

Question 2

Explain how extirpated subpopulations can re-establish themselves.

Answer 2

dispersal from neighbouring regions (other subpopulations)

Question 3

Population densities are usually ________ in smaller species than in large species.

Answer 3

higher, or greater

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of the model of population dynamics developed by Levins?

A)Each patch contributes equally to the pool of emigrants.
B)Patches are of equal size.
C)The probability of local population extinction is independent of all other populations.
D)Some patches supply more resources than others.

Question 5

A ________ consists of a group of local, interacting subpopulations that are linked by dispersal.

Question 6

In a metapopulation, the probability of local extinction increases with

A)increasing patch size and increasing isolation.
B)increasing patch size and decreasing isolation.
C)decreasing patch size and increasing isolation.
D)decreasing patch size and decreasing isolation.

Question 7

In a typical metapopulation

A)suitable habitat is relatively uniform rather than patchy.
B)even the largest subpopulations are at risk of extinction.
C)the isolation of habitat patches prevent recolonization after local extinction.
D)the dynamics of local populations are synchronized.

Question 8

________ rate is affected by fecundity and mode of reproduction.

Question 9

________ size and ________ influence the dynamics of patch occupancy.

Question 10

A ________ population cannot support a positive population growth and is only able to persist when individuals immigrate from elsewhere.

Question 11

A ________ population maintains a positive growth rate, producing a surplus of individuals who immigrate elsewhere.

Question 12

Explain how territory fragmentation effects survival of metapopulations.

Question 13

At the ________, or within-patch scale, individuals move and interact with each other in the course of their routine feeding and breeding activities.

Question 14

Metapopulation persistence is a dynamic balance between the ________ and (re)colonization of empty habitat patches.

Question 15

At the metapopulation, or ________ scale, population dynamics are governed by the interaction of local populations.

Question 16

In a metapopulation, within-patch population dynamics are governed primarily by

A)birth and death rates.
B)dispersal and colonization.
C)predation and parasitism.
D)stochastic processes.

Question 17

Increasing patch size has the potential to increase environmental ________.

Question 18

The extinction rate (E)of a metapopulation ________ as the proportion of patches occupied (P)increases.

Question 19

A collection of local subpopulations which can interact with each other is known as a

A)megapopulation.
B)metapopulation.
C)suprapopulation.
D)community.

Question 20

A ________ is a collection of metapopulations in a geographic region.

Question 21

The dynamics of local populations are synchronized in most metapopulations.

Question 22

An interspecific metapopulation occurs when two species can ________ successfully.

A)occupy the same niche
B)combine their subpopulations
C)share resources
D)hybridize

Question 23

Which of the following is the correct hierarchy of the population concept?

A)local population < metapopulation < subspecies < species
B)metapopulation < local population < subspecies < species
C)local population < metapopulation < species < subspecies
D)metapopulation < local population < species < subspecies

Question 24

As heterogeneity of habitat in a local population increases, the population density fluctuates more.

Question 25

Local extinctions will tend to strike the smallest populations.

Question 26

In a metapopulation, the probability of (re)colonization increases with

A)increasing patch size and increasing isolation.
B)increasing patch size and decreasing isolation.
C)decreasing patch size and increasing isolation.
D)decreasing patch size and decreasing isolation.

Question 27

A source population

A)must be maintained by immigrants from a sink population.
B)has a high rate of extinction.
C)is usually located in small, isolated patches.
D)maintains a positive growth rate.

Question 28

The conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural production tends to synchronize metapopulation dynamics.

Question 29

In the equation, P = 1 - e/m, e represents

A)the probability of extinction.
B)the probability of colonization.
C)the rate of local population extinction.
D)the rate of colonization.

Question 30

A large patch of habitat tends to be more spatially heterogeneous than a small patch of habitat.

Question 31

The model of metapopulation growth is similar to the logistic model of population growth in that both are regulated by density-dependent factors.

Question 32

The rescue effect is a function of

A)birthrate.
B)death rate.
C)immigration.
D)fecundity.

Question 33

The rate of dispersal is highest in species that

A)occupy stable habitats.
B)occupy isolated habitats.
C)reproduce asexually.
D)have high fecundity.

Question 34

The persistence of metapopulations increases when

A)heterogeneity of habitat decreases.
B)isolation of local populations increase.
C)environmental stochasticity decreases.
D)the size of local populations decreases.

Question 35

The probability of colonization increases with increasing patch size.

Question 36

Which of the following factors can synchronize metapopulation dynamics?

A)environmental stochasticity
B)prevention of dispersal
C)death of immigrants
D)heterogeneous patch quality

Question 37

The probability of core population extinction is less than that of satellite populations in a metapopulation.

Question 38

A sink population maintains a positive growth rate and produces a surplus of individuals who immigrate elsewhere.

Question 39

The probability of local extinction decreases with decreasing patch size.

Question 40

As the habitat heterogeneity of a patch increases

A)environmental stochasticity has a greater impact.
B)the probability of extinction decreases.
C)the probability of colonization decreases.
D)birth rates decrease.

Question 41

Critique the classic definition of a population as "a group of organisms of the same species occupying a particular area at a particular time." Describe the alternative hierarchical approach for describing the concept of a population.

Question 42

Describe the four conditions necessary for the term metapopulation to apply to a system of local populations.

Question 43

Discuss three characteristics of species that affect their potential rates of colonization and extinction.

Question 44

Define an interspecific metapopulation. What are the repercussions of this concept in conservation management?

Question 45

Sexually reproducing plants tend to have lower rates of local extinction than asexually reproducing plants.

Question 46

The rate of dispersal is greater in species occupying temporary habitats than in stable habitats.

Question 47

A subspecies encompasses the largest geographic range in the population concept hierarchy.

Question 48

Explain the relationship between patch size and habitat heterogeneity. Why is habitat heterogeneity a benefit to a population?

Question 49

Describe the assumptions made to mathematically model metapopulation dynamics. Are these assumptions appropriate? Why or why not?

Question 50

Contrast sink and source populations. Discuss the importance of source-sink dynamics to species conservation.

Question 51

In the context of a metapopulation, explain how patch size and its degree of isolation affect the equilibrium value of P (proportion of patches occupied).