ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS
SVHS LAB BIOLOGY
2013-2014
Chapters 18 and 19
UNIT OBJECTIVES:
A) Be able to identify the various ecological levels of organization found in the biosphere and the theme that is
ever present
at each of these levels. (Pages 359-362)
B) Be able to explain how organisms react to changes (either abiotic or biotic) in their habitat and how these changes must
fall within a range of tolerance before they can survive. (Pages 363-365)
C) Be able to explain the concept “niche” and contrast generalists and specialists. (Page 365)
D) Be able to explain, using an energy pyramid why many acres of land are needed before a single consumer at the top of the
pyramid such as a red tail hawk can exist. (Pages 366-369)
E) Be able to explain how changes in population size are determined by rates of birth, death, eimmigration, and emigration
(pg 383-386)
F) Be able to contrast a population in exponential or logistic growth. Be able to explain limiting factors and carrying capacity
(386-387)
VOCABULARY LIST:
Biotic factors
Regulators
Population
Niche
Generalists
immigration
SCHEDULE: note * indicate a different schedule
Specialists
Habitat
emigration
Abiotic factors
Community
carrying capacity
Tues 4/15 B
Lecture:
Lab
Homework:
Introduction to ecology/ecology of organisms (18.1, 18.2)
Ecology pre-lab
Read pages 359-364, finish Ecology pre-lab parts A, B
Sec Rev 18.2 Objectives A&B
Wed 4/16 C
Lecture:
Lab:
Homework:
Energy transfer and ecosystem recycling 18.3, 18.4
Complete Ecology pre-lab parts C-F
Read pages 365-380. Sec Rev 18.4, objectives C&D
Fri 1/18 B
Lecture:
Lab:
HW:
Understanding Populations 19.1/Measuring populations 19.2
Toothpick ecology simulation: day 1
Read 381-384, study for vocabulary quiz, Sec Rev 19.1, Objective E
*Mon 4/21 C
Quiz
Lab:
Homework:
VOCABULARY QUIZ
Toothpick ecology lab day 2
Read 385-392, write up lab
*Thurs 4/24 B
Lecture:
Lab:
HW:
Measuring Populations/Human populations 19.2,19.3
Team Test and Toothpick ecology presentations
study for test, complete IANB, Objective F, Sec Rev 19.2
*Fri 4/25
Ecology of Populations Test & IANB check
HW:
Read
20.1 ecology of communities 399-404
ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS SELF STUDY GUIDE
1) From pages 358-362 titled “Introduction to Ecology” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
Describe the key theme that is always present in the study of ecology
Explain the consequence of interconnectedness in ecology.
Explain how models are useful in ecological study.
List and define the levels of organization regarding ecology.
2) From pages 363-365 titled “Ecology of Organisms” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
H)
Contrast biotic and abiotic factors found in any environment.
Describe what a tolerance curve tells you about a species in its environment.
Describe how different species adapt to changes in their environment.
Contrast conformers with regulators.
Explain dormancy and migration in terms of an organisms escape from unsuitable conditions.
Define the term niche regarding a species.
Contrast fundamental and realized niches.
Contrast the terms generalized and specialists regarding species and their niches.
3) From pages 366-367 titled “Energy Transfer”
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
4)
Contrast producers and consumers.
Define the term biomass.
Define and contrast gross primary productivity and net primary productivity.
Name a type of ecosystem that has very high productivity and one that has very low productivity.
What factors usually determine the level of productivity in an ecosystem.
Contrast herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
Define detritivores and decomposers.
From pages 368-369 titled "Energy Flow" be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Explain the term trophic level.
Define “food chain”.
Define “food web” and explain how it is different than a food chain.
Explain how much energy is transferred from trophic level to trophic level.
Explain why ecosystems usually have just a few trophic levels.
5) From pages 380-384 titled “Understanding Populations” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Define the term population.
Describe how population size and density differ.
Define population dispersion and describe the three forms that can be observed.
Define birth rate, mortality rate, and life expectancy.
Describe the three different types of survivorship curves.
6) From pages 385-387 titled “Measuring Populations” be able to;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
Define growth rate regarding populations.
Calculate the per capita growth rate of a population given birth and death rates.
Contrast exponential and logistic growth.
Define limiting factor and explain how it effects exponential growth.
Describe how limiting factors create a carrying capacity for the growth curve.
Contrast the two types of limiting factors; density-dependent and density independent.
7) From pages 390- 392 titled “Human Population Growth”
A) Explain how the development of agriculture changed the pattern of human population growth
B) Describe changes in the human population size in the last 10,000 years.
C) Contrast developed country and developing country.