AP Biology
Ecology TRG #2
Topic Review Guide: Population Ecology
To Think About: In what ways do interactions between and within populations influence patterns of
species distribution over time? In what ways do interactions between and within populations influence
the amount of local and global ecosystem changes over time? What results from the interactions of
populations within a community? What are the consequences of human actions on both local and
global ecosystems?
Watch:
First: Mr. Andersen’s “Communities” video
Next: Mr. Andersen’s “r and K Selection” video
Then: Mr. Andersen’s “Exponential Growth” video
Read: Ch. 40.4 – 40.6 – Biology In Focus
Supplementary Resources: Click the links below for more information to help you learn more about this
lesson.
 Glencoe/McGraw-Hill: How Does Competition Affect Population Growth?
 MathCS.org: Population Dynamics (simulations of various population growth situations)
 Otherwise.com: Exponential Growth Simulator
 Kimball’s Biology Pages: Checks on Population Growth
 Kimball’s Biology Pages: Human Population Growth
 East Tennessee State University: Population Growth Simulator (manipulate parameters to see
how they affect population size)
 TED Talks—Hans Rosling: Global Population Growth, Box by Box
Listen and Look: Here is a list of key terms and concepts you will hear about and see during these
podcasts and chapter readings. Get to know them! Be able to connect them to one another using a
concept map.
KEY TERMS
r-selection
Carrying capacity
Logistic growth
Negative feedback
Life history
K-selection
Boom and bust
Exponential growth
Demographics
Doubling time
Population
Population dispersion
Multiplicative growth
Age structure diagram
Per capita growth rate
Population density
Survivorship curve (type I, II, III)
Additive growth
BD model
Density dependent
Recall and Review: Use the lecture in the video and your textbook reading to help you answer these
questions in your BILL.
1. Using a non-verbal representation, illustrate the difference between population density and
population size.
2. Explain how limiting factors in a population lead to natural selection.
3. Describe at least two conditions that might cause a population to undergo exponential growth.
4. Describe the limiting factors that prevent many populations from reaching their carrying
capacities.
5. Explain the difference between density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors.
Discuss which of the two have the greatest immediate impact on a population.
6. Explain the difference between k-selected species and r-selected species and, using what you
know about them, describe how they are adapted to the environments in which they live.
7. Explain how the environment influences an organism’s life history strategy.
8. Create a chart that compares and contrasts the biological, economic and social issues faced by
the following populations:
a. Third world rapidly growing populations
b. First world slowly growing populations
c. First world rapidly aging populations
Learn More: For more examples of population ecology principles, use the links below:
 Biologycorner.com: Mark and Recapture Simulation
 Global Footprint Network: Carbon Footprint Calculator
 US Census Bureau: US and World Population Clocks