Transcript Chapter 52
Chapter 52 (pgs. 1151- 1172) Population Ecology AP minknow •How density, dispersion, and demographics can describe a population. •The differences between exponential and logistic models of population growth. •How density-dependent and density-independent factors can control population growth • • • • • Characteristics of Populations 1.Define the scope of population ecology 2.Define and distinguish between density and dispersion. 3.Explain how ecologists measure the density of a species. 4.Describe conditions that may result in the clumped dispersion, uniform dispersion, and random dispersion of populations. • 5.Describe the characteristics of populations that exhibit Type I, Type II, and Type III survivorship curves. • 6.Describe the characteristics of populations that exhibit Type I, Type II, and Type III survivorship curves. • • • • Life History Traits 7.Define and distinguish between semelparity and iteroparity. 8.Explain how limited resources affect life histories. 9.Give examples of the trade-off between reproduction and survival. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Population Growth 10.Compare the geometric model of population growth with the logistic model. 11.Explain how an environment's carrying capacity affects the intrinsic rate of increase of a population. 12.Distinguish between r-selected populations and K-selected populations. 13.Explain how a "stressful" environment may alter the standard r-selection and K-selection characteristics. Population-Limiting Factors 14.Explain how density-dependent factors affect population growth. 15.Explain how density-dependent and density-independent factors may work together to control a population's growth. 16.Explain how predation can affect life history through natural selection. 17.Describe several boom-and-bust population cycles, noting possible causes and consequences of the fluctuations. Human Population Growth 18.Describe the history of human population growth. 19.Define the demographic transition. 20.Compare the age structures of Italy, Kenya, and the United States. Describe the possible consequences for each country. 21.Describe the problems associated with estimating Earth's carrying capacity. • Population ecology is the study of populations in relation to environment – Including environmental influences on population density and distribution, age structure, and variations in population size 52.1: Dynamic biological processes influence population density, dispersion, and demography A population • A population – Is a group of individuals of a single species living in the same general area Density and Dispersion • Density – Is the number of individuals per unit area or volume • Dispersion – Is the pattern of spacing among individuals within the boundaries of the population Density: A dynamic perspective. • Determining the density of natural populations – Is possible, but difficult to accomplish Births and immigration add individuals to a population. Births Immigration • In most cases – It is impractical or impossible to count all individuals in a population PopuIation size • Density is the result of a dynamic interplay – Between processes that add individuals to a population and those that remove individuals from it Emigration Deaths Deaths and emigration remove individuals from a population. Patterns of Dispersion • Environmental and social factors – Influence the spacing of individuals in a population. – There are three different Patterns of Dispersion • Clumped Dispersion • Uniform Dispersion • Random Dispersion • A clumped dispersion – Is one in which individuals aggregate in patches – May be influenced by resource availability and behavior (a) Clumped. For many animals, such as these wolves, living in groups increases the effectiveness of hunting, spreads the work of protecting and caring for young, and helps exclude other individuals from their territory. Figure 52.3a • A uniform dispersion – Is one in which individuals are evenly distributed – May be influenced by social interactions such as territoriality (b) Uniform. Birds nesting on small islands, such as these king penguins on South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, often exhibit uniform spacing, maintained by aggressive interactions between neighbors. Figure 52.3b • A random dispersion – Is one in which the position of each individual is independent of other individuals Figure 52.3c (c) Random. Dandelions grow from windblown seeds that land at random and later germinate. Life Tables • A life table – Is an age-specific summary of the survival pattern of a population – Is best constructed by following the fate of a cohort Survivorship Curves • A survivorship curve – Is a graphic way of representing the data in a life table Number of survivors (log scale) 1000 100 Females 10 Males 1 0 2 4 6 Age (years) Figure 52.4 8 10 • Survivorship curves can be classified into three general types Number of survivors (log scale) – Type I, Type II, and Type III 1,000 I 100 Many species fall somewhere between these basic types of survivorship curves. II 10 III 1 0 Figure 52.5 50 Percentage of maximum life span 100 Some invertebrates, such as crabs, show a “stair-stepped” curve, with increased mortality during molts. 52.2 Life histories are highly diverse, but they exhibit patterns in their variability. • Life histories entail three basic variables: – when reproduction begins – how often the organism reproduces – how many offspring are produced during each reproductive episode. • These histories are evolutionary outcomes reflected in the development, physiology, and behavior of an organism. • Some organisms, such as the agave plant, exhibit semelparity. Big Bang Production. (then death) • By contrast, some organisms exhibit iteroparity. – They produce only a few offspring during repeated reproductive episodes. • Some plants produce a large number of small seeds – Ensuring that at least some of them will grow and eventually reproduce (a) Most weedy plants, such as this dandelion, grow quickly and produce a large number of seeds, ensuring that at least some will grow into plants and eventually produce seeds themselves. Figure 52.8a • Other types of plants produce a moderate number of large seeds – That provide a large store of energy that will help seedlings become established (b) Some plants, such as this coconut palm, produce a moderate number of very large seeds. The large endosperm provides nutrients for the embryo, an adaptation that helps ensure the success of a relatively large fraction of offspring. Figure 52.8b What factors contribute to the evolution of semelparity versus iteroparity? • In other words, how much does an individual gain in reproductive success through one pattern versus the other? • The critical factor is survival rate of the offspring. • When the survival of offspring is low, as in highly variable or unpredictable environments, bigbang reproduction (semelparity) is favored. • Repeated reproduction (iteroparity) is favored in dependable environments where competition for resources is intense. • In such environments, a few, well-provisioned offspring have a better chance of surviving to reproductive age. Population Growth is measured by Per Capita Rate of Increase • If immigration and emigration are ignored – A population’s growth rate (per capita increase) equals birth rate minus death rate Growth rate = rN It can be found using the equation--- dN dt rN Exponential Population Growth •Exponential population growth Is population increase under idealized conditions •Under these conditions •The rate of reproduction is at its maximum, called the intrinsic rate of increase • Exponential population growth – Results in a Jshaped curve dN dt rmaxN Figure 52.9 Population size (N) 2,000 dN dt 1.0N 1,500 dN 0.5N dt 1,000 500 0 0 10 5 Number of generations 15 The J-shaped curve of exponential growth • Is characteristic of some populations that are rebounding Elephant population 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 1900 Figure 52.10 1920 1940 Year 1960 1980 52.4: The logistic growth model includes the concept of carrying capacity Exponential growth – Cannot be sustained for long in any population • A more realistic population model – Limits growth by incorporating carrying capacity • Carrying capacity (K) – Is the maximum population size the environment can support The Logistic Growth Model • In the logistic population growth model – The per capita rate of increase declines as carrying capacity is reached Maximum Per capita rate of increase (r) We construct the logistic model by starting with the exponential model And adding an expression that reduces the per capita rate of increase as N increases Positive 0 NK Negative Population size (N) The logistic growth equation Includes K, the carrying capacity (K N) dN rmax N dt K Table 52.3 • The logistic model of population growth – Produces a sigmoid (S-shaped) curve 2,000 dN dt Population size (N) 1,500 1.0N Exponential growth K 1,500 Logistic growth 1,000 dN dt 1.0N 1,500 N 1,500 500 0 0 Figure 52.12 5 10 Number of generations 15 2. As N approaches K for a certain population, which of the following is predicted by the logistic equation? – – – – – The growth rate will not change. The growth rate will approach zero. The population will show an Allee effect. The population will increase exponentially. The carrying capacity of the environment will increase. The Logistic Model and Real Populations Number of Paramecium/ml 1,000 • The growth of laboratory populations of paramecia – Before settling down to a relatively stable density • Some populations – Fluctuate greatly around K 400 200 0 0 5 10 Time (days) 15 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Time (days) 80 60 Number of females • Some populations overshoot K 600 Number of Daphnia/50 ml – Fits an S-shaped curve 180 150 120 90 60 30 0 800 40 20 0 1975 1980 1985 1990 Time (years) 1995 2000 The Logistic Model and Life Histories • Life history traits favored by natural selection – May vary with population density and environmental conditions • K-selection, or density-dependent selection – Selects for life history traits that are sensitive to population density • K-selection tends to maximize population size and operates in populations living at a density near K. • r-selection, or density-independent selection – Selects for life history traits that maximize reproduction • r-selection tends to maximize r, the rate of increase, and occurs in environments in which population densities fluctuate well below K, or when individuals face little competition. Controversy 52.5: Populations are regulated by a complex interaction of biotic and abiotic influences • In density-independent populations – Birth rate and death rate do not change with population density • In density-dependent populations – Birth rates fall and death rates rise with population density • Determining equilibrium for population density Density-dependent birth rate Birth or death rate per capita Density-dependent birth rate Densitydependent death rate Equilibrium density Population density (a) Both birth rate and death rate change with population density. Figure 52.14a–c Density-dependent death rate Densityindependent death rate Equilibrium density Densityindependent birth rate Equilibrium density Population density Population density (b) Birth rate changes with population density while death rate is constant. (c) Death rate changes with population density while birht rate is constant. Density-Dependent Population Regulation • Density-dependent birth and death rates – Are an example of negative feedback that regulates population growth – Are affected by many different mechanisms • • • • • Competition for Resources Territoriality Health (Disease/Parasites) Predation Toxic Wastes (think bacteria) Competition for Resources • In crowded populations, increasing population density – Intensifies intraspecific competition for resources 4.0 3.8 Average clutch size Average number of seeds per reproducing individual (log scale) 10,000 1,000 100 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.0 2.8 0 0 10 100 Seeds planted per m2 (a) Plantain. The number of seeds produced by plantain (Plantago major) decreases as density increases. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Density of females (b) Song sparrow. Clutch size in the song sparrow on Mandarte Island, British Columbia, decreases as density increases and food is in short supply. 80 Territoriality • Cheetahs are highly territorial – Using chemical communication to warn other cheetahs of their boundaries Figure 52.16 Population Dynamics • The study of population dynamics – Focuses on the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors that cause variation in population size Stability and Fluctuation • Long-term population studies FIELD STUDY Researchers regularly surveyed the population of moose on Isle Royale, Michigan, from 1960 to 2003. During that time, the lake never froze over, and so the moose population was isolated from the effects of immigration and emigration. RESULTS Over 43 years, this population experienced two significant increases and collapses, as well as several less severe fluctuations in size. 2,500 2,000 Moose population size – Have challenged the hypothesis that populations of large mammals are relatively stable over time Steady decline probably caused largely by wolf predation 1,500 1,000 Dramatic collapse caused by severe winter weather and food shortage, leading to starvation of more than 75% of the population 500 0 1960 1970 1980 Year 1990 2000 CONCLUSION Figure 52.18 The pattern of population dynamics observed in this isolated population indicates that various biotic and abiotic factors can result in dramatic fluctuations over time in a moose population. Extreme fluctuations in population size Are typically more common in invertebrates than in large mammals Fluctuating Wind pushing eggs out to sea Cannibalism Commercial catch (kg) of male crabs (log scale) 730,000 100,000 10,000 1950 Figure 52.19 1960 1970 Year 1980 1990 Metapopulations and Immigration • Metapopulations • High levels of immigration combined with higher survival – Can result in greater stability in populations – Are groups of populations linked by immigration and emigration 50 Number of breeding females – Are groups of populations linked by immigration and emigration 60 40 Mandarte island 30 20 10 Small islands 0 1988 1989 1990 Year 1991 Population Cycles • Many populations – Undergo regular boom-and-bust cycles Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the lynx/hare cycles. •The cycles may be affected by a combination of food resource limitation and excessive predation. Snowshoe hare 160 120 Lynx 80 6 40 3 0 0 1850 Figure 52.21 9 1875 1900 Year 1925 Lynx population size (thousands) •The cycles may be due to predator-prey interactions. Hare population size (thousands) •The cycles may be caused by food shortage during winter. Limiting Factors Density Dependant Factors Density Independent Factors 52.6: Human population growth has slowed after centuries of exponential increase • No population can grow indefinitely – And humans are no exception The Global Human Population 5 4 3 2 The Plague 1 8000 B.C. 4000 B.C. 3000 B.C. 2000 B.C. 1000 B.C. 0 1000 A.D. 0 2000 A.D. Human population (billions) 6 Increased relatively slowly until about 1650 and then began to grow exponentially Global population Growth Rate • Though the global population is still growing – The rate of growth began to slow approximately 40 years ago 2.2 2 Percent increase 1.8 1.6 2003 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 1950 Figure 52.23 1975 2000 Year 2025 2050 Age Structure • One important demographic factor in present and future growth trends – Is a country’s age structure, the relative number of individuals at each age – Usually presented in Pyramids Rapid growth Afghanistan Male Female Slow growth United States Male Female Decreas e Italy Female Male Age Age 85 85 80–84 80–84 75–79 75–79 70–74 70–74 65–69 65–69 60–64 60–64 55–59 55–59 50–54 50–54 45–49 45–49 40–44 40–44 35–39 35–39 30–34 30–34 25–29 25–29 20–24 20–24 15–19 15–19 10–14 10–14 5–9 5–9 0–4 0–4 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 Percent of population Percent of population Percent of population Figure 52.25 Infant Mortality and Life Expectancy • Infant mortality and life expectancy at birth – Vary widely among developed and developing countries but do not capture the wide range of the human condition 80 50 Life expectancy (years) Infant mortality (deaths per 1,000 births) 60 40 30 20 40 20 10 0 0 Developed countries Figure 52.26 60 Developing countries Developed countries Developing countries Global Carrying Capacity • Just how many humans can the biosphere support? • It is complex and we just don’t know, but we have…. • The ecological footprint concept Ecological footprint (ha per person) Ecological Footprint 16 14 12 10 New Zealand USA Germany – Summarizes the Australia 8 Netherlands Japan Canada Norway aggregate land and 6 Sweden UK water area needed 4 Spain World 2 China to sustain the India 0 people of a nation 4 2 6 8 10 12 0 Available ecological capacity (ha per person) – Is one measure of how close we are to Figure 52.27 At more than 6 billion people the carrying The world is already in capacity of Earth ecological deficit 14 16