Name:_____________________________________________
Population Dynamics Student Practice (4.1)
Population Characteristics
1.
Spatial Distribution: (Visual/Spatial)
a. Using the three animals below tell me their dispersion pattern and tell why this pattern is beneficial specifically for this organism.
Then draw this organism in the pattern that you told me it follows in nature.
Cheetah
Type:
King Penguins
Type:
Chimpanzees
Type:
Benefit:
Benefit:
Benefit:
Picture
Picture
Picture
Population Limiting Factors
1.
Fill in the following graphic organizer and using the words beneath. After completing the graphic organizer use the information inside of it to
write a paragraph consisting of 5 to 7 sentences answering the following question.(Application/Organize; Linguistic Intelligence)
Population
Limiting
Factors
Competiton
Words:








Density-dependent
Density-independent
Abiotic
Biotic
Disease
Forest fires
Weather
Predators
_______
________
_____
factors
______
__________
factors
Parasitism
__________
Natual
disasters
_________
_________
Essay Question;

What is a population limiting factor? Differentiate between the two types of population limiting factors.(Complete on your own sheet of
paper
Types of Limiting Factors Assessment:
Consider the following situations.
Then decide which type of factor (density independent or density dependent) is responsible for the situation. Finally, name the specific
factor that you believe is responsible.
A. Isle Royale is a 2,150 square mile island in Lake Superior which is able
to be reached by large animals when the lake is frozen. Before 1900, no
moose lived on it. However, by 1935, the population of moose had
grown to about 3,000. In this process, they ate almost all of the
vegetation. When this edible vegetation was no longer available,
almost 90% of the moose population starved to death. In 1948, they
again populated the island at about 3,000 and repeated the cycle with
90% of the individuals starving to death.
`
Circle one: (Density Dependent or Density Independent)
Name the factor responsible: ___________________________________
B. The Hudson Bay Company purchases animal pelts from trappers. They
have kept records of the pelts of snowshoe hare and Canada lynx since
colonial times. They have observed a trend over this long period of
time which indicates that changes in the number of hare skins
brought in by trappers is soon followed by similar changes in the
number of lynx skins brought in by the trappers.
Circle one: (Density Dependent or Density Independent)
Name the factor responsible: ____________________________________
C. This summer we experienced a very hot, dry period of time followed
by a very wet period of time. The mosquito population was not very
noticeable until the end of summer. At that time, the mosquitoes
became so noticeable that the sales of “Off” went way up as people
tried to enjoy the outdoors without being bothered by these insects.
Circle one: (Density Dependent or Density Independent)
Name the factor responsible:
_____________________________________
Population Growth Rate and carrying Capacity:
Examine the graph below to answer questions 1 - 4.(Analysis/Logical Intelligence)
a. This graph represents which type of growth?
b. Time intervals A and B together can be characterized as which type of growth?
c. Which of the following is true of the time interval marked D on the graph?
a. Carrying capacity has been reached.
b. Population is growing.
c. Population is declining.
d. Birth rate is higher than the death rate..
d. At which time interval do you begin to see the effects of limiting factors (such as limited food, water, space, etc...) on the population?
Complete the graphic organizers.
.
Term:
Exponential Growth
Picture:
Definintion:
Example of Population of organisms that shows this type of
growth:
Term:
Logistic Growth
Picture
Your Definition:
Example of Population of organisms that shows this type of
growth:
Complete Interpreting Ecological Data: (Mathematical and Logical)
Graph 1: Rabbits Over Time
a. The graph shows a __________ growth
curve.
b. The carrying capacity for rabbits is ______
c. During which month were the rabbits in
exponential growth?