Unit 6.6- Populations and Sustainability

Question 1

Carrying capacity definition:

Answer 1

The maximum population size that can be maintained over a period in a particular habitat

Question 2

What are the different phases of population growth?

Answer 2

• Lag phase
• Log phase
• Stationary phase

Question 3

Features of K-strategists:

Answer 3

• Low reproductive rate
• Slow development
• Late reproductive age
• Long lifespan
• Large body mass

Question 4

Features of R-strategists:

Answer 4

• High reproductive rate
• Quick development
• Young reproductive age
• Short life span
• Small body mass

Question 5

Interspecific competition:

Answer 5

Competition between individuals of different species

Question 6

Intraspecific competition definition:

Answer 6

Competition between individuals of the same species

Question 7

What is coppicing?

Answer 7

• Ancient practice of managing woodland
• Involves cutting down trees regularly whist leaving a stump to encourage growth
• Produces thin trunks

Question 8

What is pollarding?

Answer 8

• Like coppicing but the stem is cut higher up

- Herbivores then can’t eat the vegetation

Question 9

Advantages of coppicing:

Answer 9

-Replenishes woodstock in 7-20 years which is faster than replanting

Question 10

Disadvantages of coppicing:

Answer 10

Thin wood

Question 11

Advantages of rotational coppicing:

Answer 11

• Multiple niches
• High species richness
• Secondary succession
• Soil replenishment

Question 12

Disadvantages of large scale clear felling of trees:

Answer 12

• Destroys habitats on a large scale
• Reduces soil mineral levels
• Leaves soil susceptible to erosion