Population Ecology		Name____________________________ # ______
To increase your understanding of population ecology, answer the questions below.  

1.	One species of forest bird is highly territorial, while another species lives in flocks.  Predict each species’ likely pattern of dispersion and explain.

2.	Identify the types of survivorship curves shown in the image below.  Below the graph, give examples & describe the characteristics of species that exhibit each.

3.	In what way might high competition for limited resources in a predictable environment influence the evolution of life history traits?

4.	Explain why the life history of an organism can’t be to reproduce early and often, to have large numbers of offspring at a time, and to live long.

5.	Compare & contrast exponential and logistic growth curves.  Explain the equation associated with each curve.

6.	Look at the graph below, what is the K for the population shown with the curve?

7.	Given the case of few, relatively large offspring produced every year, describe this as r-selected or k-selected life history traits.

8.	Where is exponential growth by a plant population more likely, on a newly formed volcanic island, or in a mature, undisturbed rain forest? Why?

9.	Name three density dependent factors that may limit population growth.

10.	Name 4-5 abiotic factors that may cause population fluctuation.