Question 1

An ecologist decides that the aphids she is studying have density-independent population dynamics. This means that

Accepted Answer

A)  birth and death rates per individual will not vary in response to the number of aphids in the population. 
B)  as the population grows in size the birth rates per individual must drop because resources will be in greater demand. 
C)  as the population grows in size the birth rates per individual must rise as there will be more reproductive individuals. 
D)  the population will fluctuate dependent on the climate. 
E)  it is impossible to tell how an increase in population size will affect birth and death rates. 
A)  birth and death rates per individual will not vary in response to the number of aphids in the population. 
B)  as the population grows in size the birth rates per individual must drop because resources will be in greater demand. 
C)  as the population grows in size the birth rates per individual must rise as there will be more reproductive individuals. 
D)  the population will fluctuate dependent on the climate. 
E)  it is impossible to tell how an increase in population size will affect birth and death rates. A

Question 2

In the early phases of a species colonising a new area

Accepted Answer

A)  its rate of spread is proportional to its growth rate. 
B)  the population usually grows linearly. 
C)  the population usually decreases exponentially. 
D)  the population usually grows exponentially. 
E)  its rate of spread is inversely proportional to its growth rate 
A)  its rate of spread is proportional to its growth rate. 
B)  the population usually grows linearly. 
C)  the population usually decreases exponentially. 
D)  the population usually grows exponentially. 
E)  its rate of spread is inversely proportional to its growth rate A

Question 3

A scientist has assessed the minimum viable population of the Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix) in the national park. However, two years after the completion of this work, analysis reveals that the population is fragmented within the national park and breeding is only occurring within very small sub-populations. This impact on a species's likelihood of extinction is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  a molecular meta-bottleneck. 
B)  nucleic plasticity. 
C)  genetic stochasticity. 
D)  transcriptional decoupling. 
E)  demographic contingent. 
A)  a molecular meta-bottleneck. 
B)  nucleic plasticity. 
C)  genetic stochasticity. 
D)  transcriptional decoupling. 
E)  demographic contingent. C

Question 4

An example of a biotic factor that may influence the abundance of a population of bivalve molluscs on a rocky shore is the

Accepted Answer

A)  height of the bivalves on the shore relative to the low tide mark. 
B)  average velocity of waves striking the rocks on which the bivalves live. 
C)  salinity of the sea water in which the bivalves live. 
D)  number of people who regularly collect the bivalves for food. 
E)  temperature of the water. 
A)  height of the bivalves on the shore relative to the low tide mark. 
B)  average velocity of waves striking the rocks on which the bivalves live. 
C)  salinity of the sea water in which the bivalves live. 
D)  number of people who regularly collect the bivalves for food. 
E)  temperature of the water.

Question 5

The rare ground parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, prefers patches of heath land. One group is found at Barren Grounds in NSW and they would form

Accepted Answer

A)  a community. 
B)  a population. 
C)  a niche. 
D)  a group. 
E)  an allopatric species. 
A)  a community. 
B)  a population. 
C)  a niche. 
D)  a group. 
E)  an allopatric species.

Question 6

A population ecologist is studying a newly discovered population of small marsupials. After several months of careful observation and data collection, she determines that the population is increasing at an exponential rate. What could explain this observation?

Accepted Answer

A)  The population is currently experiencing an evolutionary bottleneck. 
B)  There is limited food resources available. 
C)  The population has been in the habitat for a significant length of time. 
D)  It is a closed population. 
E)  The population is small. 
A)  The population is currently experiencing an evolutionary bottleneck. 
B)  There is limited food resources available. 
C)  The population has been in the habitat for a significant length of time. 
D)  It is a closed population. 
E)  The population is small.

Question 7

Space would most likely be the limiting resource for organisms from which of the following groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sessile, long-lived marine sponges that feed on food suspended in the water column. 
B)  Vertebrate carnivores such as lions that hunt over long distances in search of food. 
C)  Very large planktivores such as blue whales. 
D)  Sharks which must cover large areas looking for food. 
E)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  Sessile, long-lived marine sponges that feed on food suspended in the water column. 
B)  Vertebrate carnivores such as lions that hunt over long distances in search of food. 
C)  Very large planktivores such as blue whales. 
D)  Sharks which must cover large areas looking for food. 
E)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 8

The fundamental niche of an animal is

Accepted Answer

A)  the temperature where the animal is living. 
B)  the total range of environmental conditions under which the animal may live and reproduce. 
C)  the habitat in which the animal lives the longest. 
D)  the habitat in which the animal chooses to live. 
E)  the area where the rate of reproduction is fastest. 
A)  the temperature where the animal is living. 
B)  the total range of environmental conditions under which the animal may live and reproduce. 
C)  the habitat in which the animal lives the longest. 
D)  the habitat in which the animal chooses to live. 
E)  the area where the rate of reproduction is fastest.

Question 9

Stochastic models

Accepted Answer

A)  are not very useful tools for natural resource management because, in this important field, precise predictions must be used. 
B)  are important natural resource management tools because these models take account of the natural variation that occurs in the environment. 
C)  have not been used since modern computers became readily available to ecologists. 
D)  are important natural resource management tools because they give very precise predictions. 
E)  are essential for the management of exploited populations. 
A)  are not very useful tools for natural resource management because, in this important field, precise predictions must be used. 
B)  are important natural resource management tools because these models take account of the natural variation that occurs in the environment. 
C)  have not been used since modern computers became readily available to ecologists. 
D)  are important natural resource management tools because they give very precise predictions. 
E)  are essential for the management of exploited populations.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a biotic limitation on a population's growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Disease 
B)  Nesting sites 
C)  Food 
D)  Drought 
E)  All of the options listed are incorrect. 
A)  Disease 
B)  Nesting sites 
C)  Food 
D)  Drought 
E)  All of the options listed are incorrect.

Question 11

For an algal species living on an exposed rocky reef, a severe storm represents

Accepted Answer

A)  a disturbance. 
B)  a stochastic event. 
C)  an opportunity for new recruits. 
D)  an opportunity for dispersal. 
E)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  a disturbance. 
B)  a stochastic event. 
C)  an opportunity for new recruits. 
D)  an opportunity for dispersal. 
E)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 12

When studying populations that breed continuously, what sort of equation is best suited to modelling their rate of change?

Accepted Answer

A)  Binomial 
B)  Exponential 
C)  Quadratic 
D)  Differential 
E)  Linear 
A)  Binomial 
B)  Exponential 
C)  Quadratic 
D)  Differential 
E)  Linear

Question 13

Population ecologists distinguish between two types of population, open and closed. In a closed population with density-independent birth and death rates there will be

Accepted Answer

A)  an exponential increase in size. 
B)  a linear increase in size. 
C)  a decrease in size. 
D)  remain the same size. 
E)  All of the answers are possible. 
A)  an exponential increase in size. 
B)  a linear increase in size. 
C)  a decrease in size. 
D)  remain the same size. 
E)  All of the answers are possible.

Question 14

A closed population is characterised by

Accepted Answer

A)  no immigration. 
B)  linear growth. 
C)  a density-dependent growth rate. 
D)  exponential growth. 
E)  a fluctuating population. 
A)  no immigration. 
B)  linear growth. 
C)  a density-dependent growth rate. 
D)  exponential growth. 
E)  a fluctuating population.

Question 15

A population has an intrinsic growth rate R, which is less than zero (R < 0). Over time, you would expect the population to

Accepted Answer

A)  grow exponentially. 
B)  grow linearly. 
C)  decline. 
D)  become extinct. 
E)  remain constant. 
A)  grow exponentially. 
B)  grow linearly. 
C)  decline. 
D)  become extinct. 
E)  remain constant.

Question 16

Density-vague population dynamics describes

Accepted Answer

A)  a population in which size fluctuates enormously. 
B)  a population in equilibrium due to an increase in population size causing a decrease in growth rate. 
C)  a population where size is influenced by environmental factors. 
D)  the dynamics of a population limited by resources and space. 
E)  the dynamics of a species whose population appears to be independent of population size. 
A)  a population in which size fluctuates enormously. 
B)  a population in equilibrium due to an increase in population size causing a decrease in growth rate. 
C)  a population where size is influenced by environmental factors. 
D)  the dynamics of a population limited by resources and space. 
E)  the dynamics of a species whose population appears to be independent of population size.

Question 17

When a population experiences density-dependant growth, a decrease in population size results in a

Accepted Answer

A)  decrease in growth rate. 
B)  equilibrium state. 
C)  steady death rate. 
D)  growth rate of one. 
E)  increase in growth rate. 
A)  decrease in growth rate. 
B)  equilibrium state. 
C)  steady death rate. 
D)  growth rate of one. 
E)  increase in growth rate.

Question 18

The carrying capacity (K) of a population is

Accepted Answer

A)  the theoretical maximum number of individuals the environment could support. 
B)  the equilibrium population number reached when numbers of births and deaths are equal. 
C)  the initial increase in growth in a density-dependent population. 
D)  determined by the initial number of organisms. 
E)  independent of environmental conditions. 
A)  the theoretical maximum number of individuals the environment could support. 
B)  the equilibrium population number reached when numbers of births and deaths are equal. 
C)  the initial increase in growth in a density-dependent population. 
D)  determined by the initial number of organisms. 
E)  independent of environmental conditions.

Question 19

A population showing density-independent dynamics can increase in the following ways:

Accepted Answer

A)  birth, competition and predation. 
B)  birth and emigration. 
C)  birth and immigration. 
D)  birth, immigration and an increase in available resources. 
A)  birth, competition and predation. 
B)  birth and emigration. 
C)  birth and immigration. 
D)  birth, immigration and an increase in available resources.

Question 20

Hermit crabs live in the shells of dead marine snails. When the supply of empty shells available to a hermit crab population was experimentally increased, the growth rate of the hermit crab population increased. This could be seen as evidence of

Accepted Answer

A)  negative density-dependent population growth in the hermit crab population. 
B)  positive density-dependent population growth in the hermit crab population. 
C)  density-independent population growth in the hermit crab population. 
D)  density-vague population growth in the hermit crab population. 
E)  an imminent decline in the hermit crab population. 
A)  negative density-dependent population growth in the hermit crab population. 
B)  positive density-dependent population growth in the hermit crab population. 
C)  density-independent population growth in the hermit crab population. 
D)  density-vague population growth in the hermit crab population. 
E)  an imminent decline in the hermit crab population.

Exam 43: Population Ecology

An ecologist decides that the aphids she is studying have density-independent population dynamics. This means that

In the early phases of a species colonising a new area

An example of a biotic factor that may influence the abundance of a population of bivalve molluscs on a rocky shore is the

The rare ground parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, prefers patches of heath land. One group is found at Barren Grounds in NSW and they would form

A population ecologist is studying a newly discovered population of small marsupials. After several months of careful observation and data collection, she determines that the population is increasing at an exponential rate. What could explain this observation?

Space would most likely be the limiting resource for organisms from which of the following groups?

The fundamental niche of an animal is

Stochastic models

Which of the following is an example of a biotic limitation on a population's growth?

For an algal species living on an exposed rocky reef, a severe storm represents

When studying populations that breed continuously, what sort of equation is best suited to modelling their rate of change?

Population ecologists distinguish between two types of population, open and closed. In a closed population with density-independent birth and death rates there will be

A closed population is characterised by

A population has an intrinsic growth rate R, which is less than zero (R < 0). Over time, you would expect the population to

Density-vague population dynamics describes

When a population experiences density-dependant growth, a decrease in population size results in a

The carrying capacity (K) of a population is

A population showing density-independent dynamics can increase in the following ways:

Hermit crabs live in the shells of dead marine snails. When the supply of empty shells available to a hermit crab population was experimentally increased, the growth rate of the hermit crab population increased. This could be seen as evidence of

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