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Chapter 53, Population Ecology, Campbell 8e, Chapter 51 {Campbell Biology} Flashcards

Ch. 53 Key Concepts: - Dynamic biological processes influence population density, dispersion, and demographics. - Life history traits are products of natural selection. - The exponential model describes population growth in an idealized, unlimited environment. - The logistic model describes how a population grows more slowly as it nears its carrying capacity. - Many factors that regulate population growth are density dependent.

Terms : Hide Images
9745403277population ecologyThe study of populations in relation to the environment, including environmental influences on population density and distribution, age structure, and variations in population size.0
9745403278densityA measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume.1
9745403279dispersiona spreading or scattering or separating2
9745403280mark-recapture methodA sampling technique used to estimate wildlife populations.3
9745403281immigrationMovement of individuals into a new location4
9745403282emigrationLeaving a population5
9745403283demographyThe scientific study of population characteristics.6
9745403284life tablesAge-specific summaries of survival patterns of a population.7
9745403285cohortA population group unified by a specific common characteristic, such as age, and subsequently treated as a statistical unit.8
9745403286survivorship curveGraph showing the number of survivors in different age groups for a particular species.9
9745403287reproductive tableAn age-specific summary of the reproductive rates in a population.10
9745403288life historyTraits that affect an organism's schedule of reproduction and survival.11
9745403289repeated reproductionReproduction in which adults produce offspring over many years; also known as iteroparity.12
9745403290zero population growthA decline of the total fertility rate to the point where the natural increase rate equals zero.13
9745403291exponential population growthGrowth of a population in an ideal, unlimited environment, represented by a J-shaped curve when population size is plotted over time.14
9745403292carrying capacityThe largest population that an enviorment can support15
9745403293logistic population growthwhen populations are well below the size dictated by the carrying capacity of the region they live in, they will grow exponentially, but as they approach the carrying capacity, their growth rate will decrease and the size of the population will eventually become stable.16
9745403294K-selectionfavorable life-history strategy under stable environmental conditions characterized by the production of a few slow growing, large offspring, iteroparity, long life, poor dispersal, strong competition17
9745403295r-selectionfavorable life history strategy that maximize reproductive success in uncrowded environments; also called density-independent selection. Occurs in unstable environments. Favors early reproduction and many, small offspring.18
9745403296density independentlimiting factors that are density independent are those that occur regardless of population size and reduce the size of all populations in the area in which they occur by same proportion: mostly abiotic, human activities, and natural disasters19
9745403297density dependentlimiting factors that operate more strongly on large populations than on small ones and varies according to an change in population density.20
9745403298population dynamicsThe study of short‐ and long‐term changes in the number of individuals for a given population, as affected by birth, death, immigration, and emigration.21
9745403299metapopulationA group of spatially separated populations of one species that interact through immigration and emigration.22
9745403300demographic transitionchange in a population from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates23
9745403301age structurePercentage of the population (or number of people of each sex) at each age level in a population.24
9745403302ecological footprintLand and water area appropriated by each nation as a resource to consume or to absorb the waste it generates.25
9745403303BehaviorAn action carried out by muscles by way of the nervous system in response to stimuli26
9745403304Behavioral EcologyStudy of how ecology and evolution impacts animal behavior27
9745403305Fixed Action PatternUnlearned acts caused by simple stimuli that are unchangeable and can't be interrupted. (Ex. Three spined sticklebacks act aggressively toward things w/ red coloring because they look like males)28
9745403306MigrationRegular long distance change in location due to environmental cues29
9745403307Circadian Clock24 hour cycle which corresponds to a daily cycle of rest and activity synced with light and dark30
9745403308Circannual RhythmRhythm linked to the yearly cycle of seasons31
9745403309SignalStimulus sent between animals, usually as a form of communication32
97454033104 modes of animal communication1. Visual 2. Chemical -- detection + emission of molecules to signal something 3. Tactile -- physical touch 4. Auditory -- aural communication + sounds33
9745403311PheremonesChemical substances used to communicate through odors and tastes, usually in mammals and insects to stimulate mating behaviors or to sound an alarm34
9745403312Innate BehaviorBehavior shared by multiple individuals by nature35
9745403313LearningModification of behavior through experience36
9745403314ImprintingLong lasting behavioral response to an individual objects at a stage of life37
9745403315Sensitive PeriodCritical amount of time early in an organisms life where they are most receptive to learning behaviors and imprinting.38
9745403316Imprinting StimulusOutside stimulus that directs young's behavior (Ex. young geese tend to follow the first thing that moves away from them)39
9745403317Spatial LearningEstablishing memories based on an environment's physical space and structure (Ex. Female digger wasps use landmarks to locate their nests)40
9745403318Cognitive MapsMental pictures of a spatial environment used to form relationships between landmarks and their positions41
9745403319Associative LearningAssociating experiences, good or bad, with satisfaction or a lack thereof42
9745403320Classical ConditioningForm of associative learning that involves a repeated action (Ex. Pavlov's dogs)43
9745403321Operant ConditioningAssociative learning through trial and error in which organisms associate behavior with a reward or a punishment and then repeats or avoids the action44
9745403322CognitionMost complex form of "knowing" relying on awareness, judgement, reasoning, and recollection. (Ex. bees could distinguish same from different colors and patterns to receive a reward when put in a Y-shaped maze)45
9745403323Problem SolvingCreating an approach to deal with obstacles46
9745403324Social LearningLearning through observation, especially of elders or through imitation of authority figures47
9745403325ForagingFood obtaining behaviors including eating, collecting, searching, and recognizing48
9745403326Optimal Foraging ModelNatural selection favors foraging behaviors that limit dangers but support benefits49
9745403327PromiscuityNo strong bond between mates50
9745403328Monogamy1 male with 1 female, tends to be long lasting51
9745403329Polygamy1 male or female mates with multiple male or females52
9745403330Sexual DimorphismExtent to which males and females differ inappearance53
9745403331Intersexual SelectionOne organism chooses to mate with another organism because of their characteristics (between different sexes)54
9745403332Intrasexual SelectionMate competition between members of the same sex55
9745403333Game TheoryA tool scientists use to evaluate and study behaviors and strategies of individuals. Ex. in a species of lizard the different colors correlate to different behaviors. Scientists used the idea of rock paper scissors to determine who is vulnerable to who)56
9745403334AltruismSelflessness which decreases individual fitness but increases the fitness of another individual57
9745403335Inclusive FitnessAnimals further their own genes through their own offspring and by helping close relatives because they share genes58
9745403336Kin SelectionNatural selection that favors altruistic behavior through increased reproductive success of relatives (i.e. save your sister but not your cousin)59
9745403337Reciprocal AltruismExchange of aid between individuals that aren't closely related who have the expectation of mutual aid again in the future60

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