Lecture - Population Ecology - Density Dependency and Spatial Distribution
Lecture - Population Ecology - Density Dependency and Spatial Distribution
Text Readings
Chapter Reading:
Chapter #26 in Audesirk, Audesirk and Byers:
Population Growth and Regulation Pg. #513-534.
Environmental Resistance can reduce the reproductive rate and average life span and increase the death rate of young. As Environmental Resistance increases, population growth slows and eventually stops, likely near (k).
Population Ecology
A factor that causes higher mortality or reduced birth rates as a population becomes more dense is referred to as a densitydependent factor.
Density-Dependence
Density-dependent factors become more effective as population density increases. Exert negative feedback effect on population size.
Density-Dependence
Density-Dependence (DD)
High A factor that causes higher mortality or reduced birth rates as a population becomes more dense (Bolen & Robinson) -disease, food supply, -predation, and -territorial behavior
Low Low
Population Density
High
Density-Independence
Density-independent factors limit populations regardless of their density Examples: climate, weather, floods, fires, pesticide use, pollutants, and overhunting.
Density-Independence
Density-Independence (DI)
No association with population density they act on a population independent of density - e.g., weather (floods, hurricanes) fires, earthquakes, volcanoes
Population Density
Ultimately . . . .
The abundance of a population at any given time is the result of complex interactions between density-independent and density-dependent forms of environmental resistance.
Food - Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores Water - Marshes, Bogs, Lakes, Streams Cover Protection from predators & weather Space Territoriality, Breeding and Nesting
Population Dynamics
Quantity and Quality
Spatial Distributions
The spatial pattern in which individuals are dispersed within a given area is that populations distribution, which may vary with time and available resources. There are three major types of spatial distributions:
Clumped Uniform Random
Spatial Distributions
Clumped distribution includes family and social groups Examples: elephant herds, wolf packs, prides of lions, flocks of birds, and schools of fish.
Advantages: Provides many eyes to can search for local food sources. Confuses predators with sheer numbers. Cooperation for hunting more effectively.
Spatial Distributions
Human Global Footprint on Land
Source: Kareiva, P.; Watts, S.; McDonald, R.; Boucher, T. (2007). Domesticated nature: shaping landscapes and ecosystems for human welfare. Science (Wash.) 316(5833): 1866-1869.
Spatial Distributions
Human Global Footprint In the Oceans
Source: Benjamin Halpern, et al. 2008. A Global Map of Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems. Science 15 February 2008(319) no. 5865:948 952.
Spatial Distributions
Uniform distribution constant distance maintained between individuals; common among territorial animals defending scarce resources or defending breeding territories. Examples: iguanas, shorebirds, tawny owls Advantage: a uniform distribution helps ensure adequate resources for each individual.
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Spatial Distributions
Random distribution - rare, exhibited by individuals that do not form social groups; occurs when resources are not scarce enough to require territorial spacing or cooperative behavior. Examples: Trees and other plants in rain forests.
In Summary . . . . . .
Environmental Resistance/Carrying Capacity (k) Density-Dependence/Density-Independence Predation Competition Spatial Distributions
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