Exam 19: Population Ecology

Scenario Michigan's Isle Royale is an island located in Lake Superior that is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide. Ecologists estimate that the moose population on the island has been there since approximately the year 1900. The wolf population on the island, on the other hand, has been there only since the winter of 1949. Weather conditions had to be calm and cold enough for the lake to freeze so that the first wolves could make the passage over to the island. When the wolves arrived, they were greeted with a large moose population that had no predators. The moose population was at a dangerously high level but was kept in check by the arrival of the wolves. This "harmonious" pattern continued for at least 20 years. In 1982, the wolf population suddenly crashed because of a new canine virus believed to have been carried to the island carried on the shoe of a human traveler. While the wolf population size decreased from 50 to 14 individuals in a year, the moose population increased. However, the winter of 1996 was extremely harsh and the moose population experienced a major crash. More than 500 moose died during the winter months, reducing the population to less than 800 animals. -The virus introduced to the island in 1982 that reduced the wolf population is an example of ________.

The Endangered Species Act aims to help protect species that ________.

Competition among individuals of the same species for the same limited resources is ________ competition.

This figure depicts population growth for three different populations. -Which population is growing at the fastest rate?

Scenario Michigan's Isle Royale is an island located in Lake Superior that is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide. Ecologists estimate that the moose population on the island has been there since approximately the year 1900. The wolf population on the island, on the other hand, has been there only since the winter of 1949. Weather conditions had to be calm and cold enough for the lake to freeze so that the first wolves could make the passage over to the island. When the wolves arrived, they were greeted with a large moose population that had no predators. The moose population was at a dangerously high level but was kept in check by the arrival of the wolves. This "harmonious" pattern continued for at least 20 years. In 1982, the wolf population suddenly crashed because of a new canine virus believed to have been carried to the island carried on the shoe of a human traveler. While the wolf population size decreased from 50 to 14 individuals in a year, the moose population increased. However, the winter of 1996 was extremely harsh and the moose population experienced a major crash. More than 500 moose died during the winter months, reducing the population to less than 800 animals. -What most likely happened after the wolves first arrived on the island?

Suppose a plane is forced to make an emergency landing on a desert island. The passengers must use the resources in their new environment to survive. The number of people who can survive depends on the availability of these resources. This is an example of ________.

If there are 500 oak trees in a forest covering 50 square kilometers (km²), then the population density is ________.

Scenario Michigan's Isle Royale is an island located in Lake Superior that is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide. Ecologists estimate that the moose population on the island has been there since approximately the year 1900. The wolf population on the island, on the other hand, has been there only since the winter of 1949. Weather conditions had to be calm and cold enough for the lake to freeze so that the first wolves could make the passage over to the island. When the wolves arrived, they were greeted with a large moose population that had no predators. The moose population was at a dangerously high level but was kept in check by the arrival of the wolves. This "harmonious" pattern continued for at least 20 years. In 1982, the wolf population suddenly crashed because of a new canine virus believed to have been carried to the island carried on the shoe of a human traveler. While the wolf population size decreased from 50 to 14 individuals in a year, the moose population increased. However, the winter of 1996 was extremely harsh and the moose population experienced a major crash. More than 500 moose died during the winter months, reducing the population to less than 800 animals. -The harsh winter that led to the death of many moose in 1996 is an example of ________.

Which possible description best matches this figure?

Which option best describes Type II survivorship curves?

The intentional release of a natural enemy to attack a pest population is called ________.

This figure depicts population growth for three different populations. -Assume the three populations represent three populations of the same species of bird that all live in the same geographic area. All population sizes are equal, and data collected on the populations' growth rates all started on the same day. There are several plausible reasons why population C has the slowest growth rate. Choose the exception.