Exam 51: Population Ecology

Figure 51.13 -Looking at the data in the figure above from the hare/lynx experiment, what conclusion can you draw?

Figure 51.11 -The figure above represents the dynamics of

Which of the following is the most important assumption for the mark-recapture method to estimate the size of wildlife populations?

Figure 51.1 -In the figure above, which of the following survivorship curves implies that an animal may lay thousands of eggs, of which only a few will survive to reproduce?

Figure 51.3 -Looking at figure above, the white rhinoceros [more than 1000 kg 2200 lb)] is likely to exhibit which of the following?

(a) (b) Figure 51.9 -Which of the two graphs in the figure above shows a population of organisms that has a strong population cycle?

The definition of a generation is

What is the primary limiting factor that determines why no female animal can produce a very large number of very large eggs?

Use the following abstract from Theoretical Population Biology to answer the corresponding questions). Abstract: We derive measures for assessing the value of an individual habitat fragment for the dynamics and persistence of a metapopu living in a network of many fragments. We demonstrate that the most appropriate measure of fragment value depends on the question asked. Specifically, we analyse four alternative measures: the contribution of a fragment to the metapopulation capa the network, to the equilibrium metapopulation size, to the expected time to metapopulation extinction and the long- term contribution of a fragment to colonization events in the network. The latter measure is comparable to density- dependent measures in general matrix population theory, though some differences are introduced by the fact that "density dependence" is spatially localized in the metapopulation context. We show that the value of a fragment depends not only on the properties of the landscape but also on the properties of the species. Most importantly, variation in fragment values between the habitat fragments is greatest in the case of rare species that occur close to the extinction threshold, as these species are likely to be restricted to the most favorable parts of the landscape. We expect that the measures of habitat fragment described and analysed here have applications in landscape ecology and in conservation biology. -One measure for the value of the patch was given by the long- term contribution of a fragment to colonization events in the network. How do the properties of a landscape and the properties of a species affect the value of a patch?

(a) Density dependence: Growth rate slows at high density. Figure 51.5 -In the figure above, which of the arrows represents the carrying capacity?

Figure 51.1 -In the figure above, which of the following survivorship curves most applies to humans living in developed countries?

Figure 51.4 -Assuming that these populations are density dependent, what is the likely outcome if the system depicted in the figure above were allowed to continue?

(a) (b) (c) Figure 51.8 -Based on the graphs in the figure above from the Park Grass study, which species declines in population over time?

Use the following abstract from Theoretical Population Biology to answer the corresponding questions). Abstract: We derive measures for assessing the value of an individual habitat fragment for the dynamics and persistence of a metapopu living in a network of many fragments. We demonstrate that the most appropriate measure of fragment value depends on the question asked. Specifically, we analyse four alternative measures: the contribution of a fragment to the metapopulation capa the network, to the equilibrium metapopulation size, to the expected time to metapopulation extinction and the long- term contribution of a fragment to colonization events in the network. The latter measure is comparable to density- dependent measures in general matrix population theory, though some differences are introduced by the fact that "density dependence" is spatially localized in the metapopulation context. We show that the value of a fragment depends not only on the properties of the landscape but also on the properties of the species. Most importantly, variation in fragment values between the habitat fragments is greatest in the case of rare species that occur close to the extinction threshold, as these species are likely to be restricted to the most favorable parts of the landscape. We expect that the measures of habitat fragment described and analysed here have applications in landscape ecology and in conservation biology. -Based on the information in the abstract, which of the following statements is the most correct?

Figure 51.1 -In the figure above, which of the following survivorship curves implies that an animal may lay thousands of eggs, of which a regular number die each year?

It is estimated that snow geese will be able to sustain an r of 0.088 indefinitely. If the flock currently contains 3000 individuals, how long will it take to double?

$\text {Life Table for Lacerta vivipara in the Netherlands}$ Survivorship 3 fecundity 5 average number Year Number alive Survivorship Fecundity of offspring produced per female born 0 1000 1.000 0.00 0.00 1 763 0.763 1.70 1.30 2 308 0.308 2.94 0.91 3 158 0.158 4.13 0.65 4 57 0.057 4.88 0.28 5 10 0.010 6.50 0.07 6 7 0.007 6.40 0.04 7 2 0.002 6.30 0.01 $\text {Data are from Strijbosch and Creemers, 1988.}$ Figure 51.7 -Using information from the table above, calculate the net reproductive rate R₀) for this population.

In 1987, there were only 22 condors birds) in the wild because of habitat destruction ; all were brought to zoos and breeding centres for captive breeding. In 1991, the first condors were re- introduced into the wild. To determine if the population of wild California condors is increasing, which methods would best be suited to gathering condor population size/density information?

Figure 51.2 -Looking at the data in the figure above, what can be said about survival and clutch size?

Natural selection involves energetic trade- offs between