BIO150 Ecology (Lecture) Study Guide

First Semester AY 2020-2021

WEEK 4 (Lesson duration: 4-6 hrs.)

III. POPULATION ECOLOGY: Population Characteristics and Dynamics

A. Let’s Begin – In this topic, you will learn about basic ecological concepts
in population and environmental factors affecting population distribution,
abundance, and dispersal.

After studying this topic, the student should be able to:

1. Explain the factors that affect population distribution and abundance;
2. Analyze the different types for age structure;
3. Discuss the information that can be obtained from a life table; and
4. Identify different dispersal mechanisms and patterns.

B. Watch/Read – Watch or read the learning resources provided below.

Take down notes and then answer the study questions that follow.

1. Population Ecology (~12 min)

● This is a 12-min video by Paul Andersen discussing the attributes of
a population such as density, distribution, size, sex ratio, and age
structure. Mr. Andersen tackled here how the population size can be
affected by demographic processes (births, immigration, death, and
emigration) and the factors which are either density-dependent or
density-independent. He discussed the exponential and logistic types
of population growth model and how the population can be classified
as either K- or r-strategist.
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ-CQ3CQE3g Note: The
creator of the video permitted the use of this material for educational
purposes.

2. Population Abundance and Distribution (~16 min)

● This is a 16-min video by Samuel Hirt explaining factors affecting the
abundance and distribution of population. He discussed the niche,
population distribution patterns on small scales and large scales, as
well as the commonness and rarity of species. Moreover, he
explained here the relationship between size of individuals and
population density.
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4_hnFha7Hg Note: The creator
of the video permitted the use of this material for educational
purposes.

3. 6.17: Population Size, Density, and Distribution (~5 min)

● This reading material discusses concepts on population size, density,
and how the population distribution can be affected by the
characteristics of a species or its environment.
BIO150 Ecology (Lecture) Study Guide
First Semester AY 2020-2021

● https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biol
ogy/Book:_Introductory_Biology_(CK-
12)/06:_Ecology/6.17:_Population_Size,_Density,_and_Distribution
Note: This is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

4. Life Tables, Survivorship, and Age-Sex Structure (~25 min)

● This reading resource tackles how to predict the fate of a population
through the use of life table, survivorship curve, and age structure.
Examples of life table, survivorship curve, and age structure are
shown in the material. In the age structure samples from this material,
sex is incorporated in the population pyramid. There are instances
that sex is not accounted in an age structure. One example is the age
structure of Corbicula fluminea (Asian clam) used in face-to-face
classes. In addition, although types of survivorship curve were already
tackled in resource material number 2 (video), they are more
elaborated here.
● https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology/population-
ecology/a/life-tables-survivorship-age-sex-structure Note: All Khan
Academy content is available free at (www.khanacademy.org)

5. Causes and Consequences of Dispersal in Plants and Animals (~33

min)
● This reading material discusses how various factors affect the
dispersal in plants and animals. It explains the difference between
active and passive dispersal, effect of dispersal not only to population
level but also to individual level, limits to dispersal, methods of
quantifying and tracking dispersal, and effect of human activities on
dispersal.
● https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/causes-and-
consequences-of-dispersal-in-plants-15927714/ Note: Scitable
allows reproduction of this material, without modifications, in print or
electronic form for personal, non-commercial purposes or for non-
commercial use in an educational environment.

C. Think – Now is the time to test what you have learned. Answer the following
questions related to some of the learning materials you have read and
watched.

1. Define population.

2. Explain how carrying capacity can affect the growth of a population.

3. How would you differentiate the density-dependent and density-

independent as factors affecting the size of the population? Give at least
2 examples for each.
BIO150 Ecology (Lecture) Study Guide
First Semester AY 2020-2021

4. How does the size of the individuals affect the population density?

5. Differentiate active and passive type of population dispersal.

6. Illustrate the following attributes of a population and describe briefly the

characteristics of each type.
a. random, regular, and clumped distribution pattern
b. growing, stable, and declining age structure
c. Type I, II, and II survivorship curve

a.

b.

c.

D. Dig Deeper (OPTIONAL) – If you want to know more about population

dynamics, you may read/watch the following.

1. This reading material serves as a review on population ecology. This

contains some key terms about population with their corresponding
definitions, discussion on population growth models (exponential and
logistic growth), population growth regulation (through density-
dependent and density-independent factors), and some common
BIO150 Ecology (Lecture) Study Guide
First Semester AY 2020-2021

misconceptions in the study of population dynamics. You can read this

for approximately 12 minutes.
• https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-
ecology/hs-population-ecology/a/hs-population-ecology-review
Note: All Khan Academy content is available for free at
(www.khanacademy.org)

2. This reading material contains definitions of population, demography,

population size, and population density. It explains methods on how
ecologists estimate the size and density of population using quadrat and
mark-recapture technique. Furthermore, it has discussion on the
population distribution pattern (uniform, random, and clumped). This can
also be read for approximately 12 minutes.
• https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-
ecology/hs-population-ecology/a/population-size-density-and-
dispersal Note: All Khan Academy content is available for free at
(www.khanacademy.org)

3. This is a 9-min video that discusses the population dynamics as affected

by demographic processes such as birth, immigration, death, and
emigration. The example population used here is humans.
• https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-
culture/demographics/v/population-dynamics Note: All Khan
Academy content is available for free at (www.khanacademy.org)