Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Introduced
goats
Which one of the four graphs on the right would BEST illustrate the same data
points if the per capita growth rate for the population was plotted as a
function of population density?
5. The goat population began to level off at a population size of approximately
10 000 individuals. Which ONE of the following statements provides THE BEST
explanation for why the curve below levels off?
A. 5 individuals/km2
B. 15 individuals/km2
C. 25 individuals/km2
D. 35 individuals/km2
E. 45 individuals/km2
10. In order to learn more about the lava heron population ecologists collected
demographic data at several study sites featuring different population
densities (lava herons/km2) of this species to determine which factors are
responsible for regulating its population size.
Based on the
four
demographic
factors shown on
the right, which
graph shows the
largest
regulatory effect
on the lava
heron
population?
11. The opuntia cactus is endangered due to disturbance by goats. The cactus
was reintroduced to one of the islands, Española, where the goats had been
completely eradicated. Ecologists studied the growth rate of the cactus
population as it colonized different areas of Española Island. They calculated
the per capita growth rate (low, medium and high) and plotted it as a
function of population density (see graph on the left).
Which one of the five graphs on the right would BEST illustrate the same
data points if population size (number of individuals) was plotted as a
function of time since reintroduction?
12. The giant tortoise is another threatened species on the Galapagos Island.
Ecologists have collected birth and death rates from four of the islands (see
graphs below) to investigate how different factors affect the population.
Based on the
four graphs on
the right, on
which island was
the tortoise
population MOST
NEGATIVELY
affected by
intraspecific
competition?
13. The suitable habitat for the tortoise population has decreased since the goat
invasion. The carrying capacity for this species is therefore much lower on
most of the Galapagos Islands than it used to be. The graph below shows how
the change in population size from one year to another (i.e. lambda or
Nt+1/Nt) varies with population density on the island of Santa Cruz. What is
the current carrying capacity of the tortoise population?
A. 5 individuals/km2
B. 15 individuals/km2
C. 25 individuals/km2
D. 35 individuals/km2
E. 45 individuals/km2
14. Imagine that you are a conservation ecologist interested in determining
which factors are responsible for regulating the tortoise population. You
collect data at sites featuring different densities of this species and display
these data graphically.
Based on the
four
demographic
factors shown
on the right,
which graph
shows the
largest
regulatory
effect on the
tortoise
population?
15. As a conservation ecologist you are also interested in learning how to
facilitate the growth of small tortoise populations. It turns out that the
tortoise population is affected by an Allee effect (i.e. it is difficult for
tortoises to find mates when the population is below 30 individuals/km2).
Which of the
four graphs on
the right BEST
describes how
birth and
death rates
vary with
density in a
population
that is
affected by an
Allee effect?
16. The Vermilion flycatcher is a small bird species native to the Galapagos
Islands. Ecologists have been monitoring birth rates for this species for
several years to learn why this species is threatened. Use the data in the
table below to determine if the factors that determine birth rate regulate
the flycatcher population or not.
A. The factors regulate because the birth rate does not vary with density.
B. The factors do not regulate because the birth rate does not vary with density.
C. The factors regulate because the birth rate increases with increasing density.
D. The factors do not regulate because the birth rate increases with increasing density.
17. Ecologists also studied factors that caused mortality in the flycatcher
population. Use the data in the table below to determine if the factors that
cause mortality in adult flycatchers regulate the population or not.
A. The factors regulate the population because the mortality rate does not vary
with density.
B. The factors do not regulate the population because the mortality rate does not
vary with density.
C. The factors regulate the population because the mortality rate increases with
increasing density.
D. The factors do not regulate the population because the mortality rate increases
with increasing density.