Question 1

A group of subpopulations has independent population dynamics over space. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  habitat fragmentation. 
B)  a metapopulation. 
C)  the rescue effect. 
D)  environmental stochasticity. 
A)  habitat fragmentation. 
B)  a metapopulation. 
C)  the rescue effect. 
D)  environmental stochasticity.

Question 2

Which is an example of demographic stochasticity?
I. increased moose mortality when the population exceeds carrying capacity
II. variation in death rate of mice due to chance differences between individuals
III. increases and decreases in seed production due to changes in rainfall

Accepted Answer

A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  II and III only 
A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  II and III only

Question 3

Which type of model always includes random variation?

Accepted Answer

A)  stochastic 
B)  deterministic 
C)  logistic 
D)  exponential 
A)  stochastic 
B)  deterministic 
C)  logistic 
D)  exponential

Question 4

For populations growing under the logistic growth model with delayed density dependence, which of the following combinations of parameter values is most likely to lead to dampened oscillations?

Accepted Answer

A)  r = 0.1; K = 200; τ = 2 
B)  r = 0.1; K = 20 ; τ = 2 
C)  r = 0.5 ; K = 200; τ = 3 
D)  r = 1; K =20 ; τ = 3 
A)  r = 0.1; K = 200; τ = 2 
B)  r = 0.1; K = 20 ; τ = 2 
C)  r = 0.5 ; K = 200; τ = 3 
D)  r = 1; K =20 ; τ = 3

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of delayed density dependence?
I. The per capita growth rate of a coyote population decreases as the number of coyotes increases.
II. The fecundity of two-year-old frogs is based on their density as tadpoles.
III. The number of seeds produced by flowers in the fall depends on the amount of rainfall the previous spring.

Accepted Answer

A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  II and III only 
A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  II and III only

Question 6

Consider a population with the following numbers of individuals over time:
Year 1: 100
Year 2: 150
Year 3: 200
Year 4: 250
If the population size in year 5 is determined by a logistic model with delayed density dependence, r = 1.1, and K = 200 individuals, what value of τ would cause the population to decrease from year 4 to year 5?

Accepted Answer

A)  τ = 0 
B)  τ = 1 
C)  τ = 2 
D)  τ = 3 
A)  τ = 0 
B)  τ = 1 
C)  τ = 2 
D)  τ = 3

Question 7

There are two key predictions about how extinction probability and colonization probability affect metapopulation dynamics. List these predictions and explain how they are illustrated by this figure.

Accepted Answer

Metapopulation theory predicts that the

Question 8

Which is an example of environmental stochasticity?
I. changes in the weather that increase or decrease survival by a small amount
II. variation in individual health that affects likelihood of death
III. forest fires that kill large number of individuals every 10 to 50 years

Accepted Answer

A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and III only 
E)  I, II and III 
A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and III only 
E)  I, II and III

Question 9

A biologist is developing models to describe the population dynamics of the species he studies. Four models are listed. Each model is based on the logistic model, with r equal to 1 and K equal to 100. The initial population size is given by N0. In which of his models of population growth would the population be most likely to go extinct?

Accepted Answer

A)  deterministic model, N0 = 5 
B)  stochastic model, N0 = 10 
C)  deterministic model, N0 = 100 
D)  stochastic model, N0 = 150 
A)  deterministic model, N0 = 5 
B)  stochastic model, N0 = 10 
C)  deterministic model, N0 = 100 
D)  stochastic model, N0 = 150

Question 10

A population die-off occurs when
I. a species' resources are depleted.
II. an overshoot occurs.
III. carrying capacity is exceeded.

Accepted Answer

A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  II and III only 
E)  I, II, and III 
A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  II and III only 
E)  I, II, and III

Question 11

Human activity can affect metapopulations. In the basic model of metapopulation dynamics, if humans improve the quality (and thus carrying capacity) of subpopulations, the probability of _____ and the proportion of occupied patches _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  extinction increases; decreases 
B)  extinction decreases; increases 
C)  colonization increases; increases 
D)  colonization decreases; decreases 
A)  extinction increases; decreases 
B)  extinction decreases; increases 
C)  colonization increases; increases 
D)  colonization decreases; decreases

Question 12

Which statement correctly identifies the relationship between population size and extinction risk?

Accepted Answer

A)  Small populations are most likely to go extinct. 
B)  Intermediate-sized populations are most likely to go extinct. 
C)  Large populations are most likely to go extinct. 
D)  Population size does not correlate with extinction risk. 
A)  Small populations are most likely to go extinct. 
B)  Intermediate-sized populations are most likely to go extinct. 
C)  Large populations are most likely to go extinct. 
D)  Population size does not correlate with extinction risk.

Question 13

A species of frog is found separated into many subpopulations living in ponds that are surrounded by agricultural fields. Sometimes one frog subpopulation goes extinct because of disease or environmental stochasticity. Frogs from other subpopulations will occasionally move across fields to recolonize ponds where subpopulations have gone extinct. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  a metapopulation. 
B)  the rescue effect. 
C)  a sink population. 
D)  damped oscillations. 
A)  a metapopulation. 
B)  the rescue effect. 
C)  a sink population. 
D)  damped oscillations.

Question 14

In the logistic growth model that includes delayed density dependence, the term τ indicates

Accepted Answer

A)  the strength of density dependence. 
B)  the previous carrying capacity. 
C)  the length of the time delay. 
D)  the current population size. 
A)  the strength of density dependence. 
B)  the previous carrying capacity. 
C)  the length of the time delay. 
D)  the current population size.

Question 15

Of the following species, which is most likely to exhibit a stable limit cycle or dampened oscillations?

Accepted Answer

A)  A species with limited energy reserves such that resource availability in previous years does not affect its current ability to survive or produce offspring 
B)  A species whose fecundity in the present year is highly dependent on the amount of rainfall 2 years previous 
C)  A species whose only food resources for juveniles are limited and juvenile food availability affects adult fecundity and survival 
D)  A species whose population growth is following the exponential model 
A)  A species with limited energy reserves such that resource availability in previous years does not affect its current ability to survive or produce offspring 
B)  A species whose fecundity in the present year is highly dependent on the amount of rainfall 2 years previous 
C)  A species whose only food resources for juveniles are limited and juvenile food availability affects adult fecundity and survival 
D)  A species whose population growth is following the exponential model

Question 16

Variations in birth and death rates due to random changes in environmental conditions are

Accepted Answer

A)  damped oscillations. 
B)  delayed density dependence. 
C)  environmental stochasticity. 
D)  stable limit cycles. 
A)  damped oscillations. 
B)  delayed density dependence. 
C)  environmental stochasticity. 
D)  stable limit cycles.

Question 17

Delayed density dependence

Accepted Answer

A)  occurs when a population is larger than the carrying capacity. 
B)  occurs when density dependence is based on population density in the past. 
C)  is the observation that populations increase and decrease over time. 
D)  is a form of environmental stochasticity. 
A)  occurs when a population is larger than the carrying capacity. 
B)  occurs when density dependence is based on population density in the past. 
C)  is the observation that populations increase and decrease over time. 
D)  is a form of environmental stochasticity.

Question 18

Population cycles
I. are increases and decreases of population size occurring at regular time intervals.
II. can be caused by overshooting carrying capacity and subsequent die-offs.
III. indicate that a species is about to become extinct.

Accepted Answer

A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  II, and III only 
A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  II, and III only

Question 19

Consider a population with the following numbers of individuals over time:
Year 1: 10
Year 2: 25
Year 3: 30
If the population size in year 4 is determined by a logistic model with delayed density dependence from a 1-year time lag and K = 50 individuals, what value of r would lead to the population size to exceed carrying capacity in year 4?

Accepted Answer

A)  r = 0.2 
B)  r = 0.5 
C)  r = 1.0 
D)  r = 2.0 
A)  r = 0.2 
B)  r = 0.5 
C)  r = 1.0 
D)  r = 2.0

Question 20

Which trait(s) is (are) likely to cause less-stable population fluctuations over time?
I. short generation time
II. small body size
III. high sensitivity to environmental conditions

Accepted Answer

A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  I, II, and III 
A)  I only 
B)  II only 
C)  III only 
D)  I and II only 
E)  I, II, and III

A group of subpopulations has independent population dynamics over space. This is an example of

Which is an example of demographic stochasticity? I. increased moose mortality when the population exceeds carrying capacity II. variation in death rate of mice due to chance differences between individuals III. increases and decreases in seed production due to changes in rainfall

Which type of model always includes random variation?

For populations growing under the logistic growth model with delayed density dependence, which of the following combinations of parameter values is most likely to lead to dampened oscillations?

There are two key predictions about how extinction probability and colonization probability affect metapopulation dynamics. List these predictions and explain how they are illustrated by this figure.

Which is an example of environmental stochasticity? I. changes in the weather that increase or decrease survival by a small amount II. variation in individual health that affects likelihood of death III. forest fires that kill large number of individuals every 10 to 50 years

A population die-off occurs when I. a species' resources are depleted. II. an overshoot occurs. III. carrying capacity is exceeded.

Human activity can affect metapopulations. In the basic model of metapopulation dynamics, if humans improve the quality (and thus carrying capacity) of subpopulations, the probability of _ and the proportion of occupied patches _.

Which statement correctly identifies the relationship between population size and extinction risk?

In the logistic growth model that includes delayed density dependence, the term τ indicates

Of the following species, which is most likely to exhibit a stable limit cycle or dampened oscillations?

Variations in birth and death rates due to random changes in environmental conditions are

Delayed density dependence

Population cycles I. are increases and decreases of population size occurring at regular time intervals. II. can be caused by overshooting carrying capacity and subsequent die-offs. III. indicate that a species is about to become extinct.

Which trait(s) is (are) likely to cause less-stable population fluctuations over time? I. short generation time II. small body size III. high sensitivity to environmental conditions

Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Climates and Soils

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviours

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Competition

Community Structure

Community Succession

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology, Biogeography, and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

Filters

Exam 13: Population Dynamics Over Space and Time

A group of subpopulations has independent population dynamics over space. This is an example of

Which is an example of demographic stochasticity? I. increased moose mortality when the population exceeds carrying capacity II. variation in death rate of mice due to chance differences between individuals III. increases and decreases in seed production due to changes in rainfall

Which type of model always includes random variation?

For populations growing under the logistic growth model with delayed density dependence, which of the following combinations of parameter values is most likely to lead to dampened oscillations?

There are two key predictions about how extinction probability and colonization probability affect metapopulation dynamics. List these predictions and explain how they are illustrated by this figure.

Which is an example of environmental stochasticity? I. changes in the weather that increase or decrease survival by a small amount II. variation in individual health that affects likelihood of death III. forest fires that kill large number of individuals every 10 to 50 years

A population die-off occurs when I. a species' resources are depleted. II. an overshoot occurs. III. carrying capacity is exceeded.

Human activity can affect metapopulations. In the basic model of metapopulation dynamics, if humans improve the quality (and thus carrying capacity) of subpopulations, the probability of _____ and the proportion of occupied patches _____.

Which statement correctly identifies the relationship between population size and extinction risk?

In the logistic growth model that includes delayed density dependence, the term τ indicates

Of the following species, which is most likely to exhibit a stable limit cycle or dampened oscillations?

Variations in birth and death rates due to random changes in environmental conditions are

Delayed density dependence

Population cycles I. are increases and decreases of population size occurring at regular time intervals. II. can be caused by overshooting carrying capacity and subsequent die-offs. III. indicate that a species is about to become extinct.

Which trait(s) is (are) likely to cause less-stable population fluctuations over time? I. short generation time II. small body size III. high sensitivity to environmental conditions

Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Climates and Soils

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviours

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Competition

Community Structure

Community Succession

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology, Biogeography, and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

Filters

Human activity can affect metapopulations. In the basic model of metapopulation dynamics, if humans improve the quality (and thus carrying capacity) of subpopulations, the probability of _ and the proportion of occupied patches _.