Exam 11: Population Distributions

Why are endemic species more at risk for becoming rare or endangered than cosmopolitan species?

Using the landscape metapopulation model, explain how the quality of the matrix between suitable habitat patches can limit the ability of a species to exhibit an ideal free distribution among suitable habitat patches.

Describe the difference between the source-sink metapopulation model and the landscape metapopulation model.

In some parts of the United States, pathways for wildlife are built over or under highways to allow animals to cross safely. This is an example of a(n)

If the geographic range of a population is decreased, it is generally considered that the

What factors drive the relationship between population density and adult body size?

When a species is in danger of becoming extinct, scientists use ecological niche modeling to assess where the species might have the highest probability of successful reintroductions. What does ecological niche modeling determine?

Which population model applies to the situation in which patches of suitable habitat are embedded within a matrix of unsuitable habitat?

Individuals of a species will disperse themselves among different quality habitats such that they all have the same per capita benefit. What is that model called?

Explain the difference between a species' fundamental and realized niche. What might cause a species to have a smaller (in terms of area) realized niche?

In populations that fit a source-sink metapopulation model, organisms in _____ subpopulations disperse into _____ subpopulations.

What was the main factor that led to declines in collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) populations in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri?

Populations with high abundance tend to have a _____ range.

When there are direct interactions among individuals in a population, _____ dispersion is favored.

Researchers used an experimental design in which they cleared large patches of pine forest from five areas. The central cleared area served as the source of dispersers. The four remaining cleared patches were (1) a rectangular unconnected patch, (2) a rectangular patch connected to the central patch with a cleared path that served as a corridor, and (3) two rectangular patches with wings (patches with corridors that did not connect to other patches). The researchers were interested in the importance of habitat corridors to the movement of seeds, pollen, and butterflies between central and peripheral habitat patches. What was the purpose of planting male winterberry plants in central patches and female winterberry plants in peripheral patches? Based on the results, what would you conclude about the importance of habitat corridors?

Based on the relationship between geographic range and population, what would you expect to happen if a large portion of a species' habitat is converted to agriculture?

What is true about habitat corridors??

Compare and contrast the terms dispersion and dispersal.

The pattern of density and spacing of individuals in a population is called the

You conduct a mark-recapture survey of eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulates) in a 2-hectare plot in eastern Arizona. You mark 250 lizards and are able to recapture 75, of which 24 are marked. What is the estimated size of the population of fence lizards in this plot? Calculate the estimated population size for the plot and the estimated lizard density per hectare and per square meter. Use the following formula: $\frac { M } { N } = \frac { R } { C }$ where M is the number of initially marked individuals, N is the population size, R is the number of recaptured marked individuals, and C is the total number of individuals recaptured.