Exam 19: Population Ecology

Kudzu, an Asian vine introduced to the United States in the 1930s as a means to control erosion, is referred to as "the plant that ate the South" because it grows alarmingly fast and overtakes most plant species in its path. A recent and unusual way that some people are using to control kudzu growth is to allow goats to graze their land and eat the kudzu, roots and all. This is considered by some to be the most environment-friendly way to eliminate this invasive vine. How can we best describe the goats in this situation?

This figure depicts population growth for three different populations. -If all 3 populations occupy different areas that are approximately the same size, which population has the lowest density in year 5?

In most developing countries, ________.

Scenario In May 2014, the European Union (EU)published a report of population structure and aging data that described growing trends of low birth rates and longer life expectancies in the EU. In their report, the EU described that due to these trends, some EU member states were beginning to demonstrate a population structure with many much-older individuals. -If this trend continues, what do you predict that the populations will look like as time progresses for 50 more years?

According to the logistic growth model, what happens to a population when the size of the population reaches carrying capacity?

The use of the Indian mongoose to control rat populations ________.

In a population that is following a logistic growth pattern, what shape does the population's growth curve most closely resemble?

Most crop pests ________.

Suppose a density-dependent factor acted on the fur seal population in 1940 such that it caused the population to crash. How would this be reflected in the trend line?

Species that exhibit an equilibrial life history typically ________.

The ecological footprint of the United States ________.

Non-native species can have important effects on biological communities by ________.

The red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species, is dependent upon ________ for maintenance of its source habitat.

What will be the approximate shape of the age-structure diagram of a rapidly increasing population?

Population growth is affected differently in dense versus sparse populations. When female bats raise their offspring, they form "maternity colonies" that are densely populated. In these populations, the female bats are so tightly packed together in one area that their bodies touch one another. Mites, a common parasite of bats, thrive in this type of environment because they can easily move from host to host. What might you predict would happen to the mite infection rate once the maternity colonies naturally break apart? The parasite population will ________.

During the Pleistocene era, many large mammal species went extinct. Their permanent disappearance occurred in a short period of time when humans were expanding across North America. In this situation, how do many scientists view humans?

If a population's growth rate decreases as the population size approaches carrying capacity, the population's growth follows a(n)________ model.

Type I survivorship curves are typical of species that exhibit ________.

________ are an example of an invasive species.

Integrated pest management ________.