Week 1

Question 1

What is the definition of ecology?

Answer 1

The study of the distribution and abundance of organisms and the interactions which determine distribution and abundance

Question 2

Define evolution

Answer 2

A complex process in which the total environment determines which members of a species survive to reproduce and so pass on their genes to the next generation.

Question 3

What are the four different levels of evolutionary ecology studied?

Answer 3

1. Individual
2. Population
3. Community
4. Ecosystem

Question 4

What are 5 ecological observement skills?

Answer 4

1. Observations
2. Surveys
3. Correlation
4. Experiments
   5.Models

Question 5

Define the technique of observation

Answer 5

Viewing the field site and how these species will interact with each other

Question 6

Name one example of observation

Answer 6

The difference in vegetation type on different facing slopes of a valley

Question 7

Name one method of observation

Answer 7

Creating a food web or pyramid to explain species richness

Question 8

Define the technique of surveying

Answer 8

Using sampling techniques in order to collect information about an area

Question 9

Give an example of surveying

Answer 9

Collecting random sample (quadrat or transect) regarding land type

Question 10

Define correlation

Answer 10

This is the relationship between environmental factors and…
individual success
Threshold values
Diversity

Question 11

Name the three different experiment types

Answer 11

a) Controlled environment
b) Garden type (no alterations)
c) Field manipulations

Question 12

What is meant by ecological models?

Answer 12

This is the display of ecological interactions within a community
Verbal- Darwin’s theory of evolution
Mathematical- Computer simulations

Question 13

What is a population?

Answer 13

A group of sexually interbreeding or potentially interbreeding individuals

Question 14

What is a species?

Answer 14

A group of interbreeding or potentially interbreeding natural populations, which are reproductively isolated from other groups

Question 15

What is a metapopulation?

Answer 15

These are populations in a fragmented habitat only connected by limited migration
They’re usually characterised by extinction and recolonisation

Question 16

What are three characteristics of populations?

Answer 16

Distribution/Dispersion
Density

Question 17

What is the definition of population distribution?

Answer 17

This is how individuals are arranged across their habitat

Question 18

What is geographical range?

Answer 18

The furthest points at which a population is distributed

Question 19

How can a population be distributed?

Answer 19

Uniform, clumped or random

Question 20

What is the definition for population density?

Answer 20

This is how many individuals of a certain populations are in a certain area

Question 21

How can the density of a population change

Answer 21

Individuals may be sparse and have large territories or densely populated and have many individuals within a small area

Question 22

What is the equation for abundance?

Answer 22

Abundance= Density x area

Question 23

How can we measure the population density?

Answer 23

Mark and recapture

Question 24

What is the equation for mark and recapture?

Answer 24

N=nM/R
N=population size
M=marked individuals
n=number of captured
R= Recaptured individuals

Question 25

What are three principles of population dynamics?

Answer 25

Flux= Birth and death of individuals Spatial= Population depends on how individuals are spaced Temporal= Age structure will effect how a population functions

Question 26

Describe three patterns of survival

Answer 26

1. High survival in the young and decreasing population as age increases 2.High mortality in the young and less dramatic death rate as age increases 3. Age and death are in a direct correlation