Population

Ecology
Ogot, Maria Kristina E. RMT
Integrated Sciences Department
College of Allied Sciences
 Outline of Topics
I. Population Ecology
II. What is a Population?
III. Characteristics of Population
IV. Carrying Capacity
V. Limiting Factors
Population Ecology
 The study of populations in relation to the environment, including
environmental influences on the ff:
population density and distribution
age structure
population size
 The study of the dynamics of populations.

3
 What is a Population?
 A group of individuals of a single species that live in the same general area.

Other definitions:
 A set of humans in a given area (Human demography)
 A group of interbreeding individuals of the same species, which is isolated from other

groups. (Genetics)

Main Axiom of Population Ecology: organisms in a population are ecologically equivalent.

1.) Organisms undergo the same life-cycle
2.) Organisms in a particular stage of the life-cycle are involved in the same set of
ecological processes.
3.) The rates of these processes are basically the same if organisms are put into the
same environment.

4
Characteristics of Population
1. ) Population Size
2.) Population Density
3.) Population Dispersion
4.) Age structure

5
Characteristics of Population
1.) Population Size
Represents the total number of individuals
in a habitat.
Measures the number of individuals in a

population at a given time.

The larger a population is, the greater its

generic variation and therefore its potential

for long-term survival.
Increased population size can, however,

lead to overuse of resources.

6
Characteristics of Population
2.) Population Density
Refers to how many individuals reside in a particular
area.
Number of individuals of a population in a certain space

at a given time.
# of organisms/ unit or volume
A low-density area would have more organisms spread

out.
 High-density areas would have more individuals living

closer together.

Significance: Help to estimate whether a specie is rare

or abundant.

7
 How is density affected?

1.) Immigration: movement of individuals into a

population
2.) Emigration: movement of individuals out of a
population
3.) Density-dependent factors
4.) Density-independent factors

8
Characteristics of Population
3.) Population Dispersion
pattern of spacing among individuals within the geographic boundaries.
Describes how individuals of a species are spread out.

Significance: Essential to conservation and management of species

Types of Population Dispersion Patterns:

1.) Uniform
2.) Random
3.) Clustered or clumped

9
1.) Uniform Dispersion

 Refers to organisms that live in a

specific territory.
 mostly when individuals of the same
species compete for resources that
are scarce.
 Example:
Creosote bush in desert biome. It
competes for water (limiting factor)
by excreting toxic chemicals that
prevent seedlings of other creosote Creosote bush
bushes from growing near it.

10
2.) Random Dispersion

 occurs when resources or conditions in the

environment are fairly uniform and
competition is limited.
 Most common in weedy species that have a
broad tolerance range for environmental
conditions (“generalists”)
 Example: wind-dispersed seeds

Dandelions

11
3.) Clustered or clumped Dispersion
 Resources are usually patchy in
nature.
 Groups of animals living together
 Some animal species form
grazing herds, schools of fish,
flocks of birds, troops of primates
to protect against predators,

Elephants

12
3.) Clustered or clumped Dispersion

13
4.) Age Structure
 Proportion of individuals in each age group in a population.
 Describes how many individuals fit into particular age groups.

Significance: Predicts population growth

 Three Age Groups:

a.) Pre-reproductive – birth to 14 years of age
b.) Reproductive – 15 years to 44 years of age
c.) Post-reproductive – 45 years to extend of life

14
 Three Basic Shapes of Age Structures

1.) Rectangular shape age

structure:
Mostly similar width from bottom to
top of the graph – is stable.
The somewhat vertical sides of the

graph show a population that is not

changing significantly in size.
High survivorship
Low fertility
All age groups are equally abundant

(balanced sex ratio)

15
 Three Basic Shapes of Age Structures

2.) Triangular shape age

structure
“broad-based pyramid”
With a wide base and narrow top – is

said to be expanding.
Reflects a growing, or expanding,

population.
High birth rates
High death rates
Small elderly population

16
 Three Basic Shapes of Age Structures

3.) Beehive-shaped age

structure
Narrow base, wider top
An inverted “pyramid”
Reflects a diminishing, or a decreasing

population
Low birth rates

17
Carrying Capcaity
 The maximum number of individuals
a population can support over an
indefinite amount of time.
 May vary for different species and

may change over time due to variety

of factors:
food availability
water supply
environmental conditions
living space

18
What are limiting factors?
 Any environmental factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction
or distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.
 Both biotic and abiotic factors preventing the growth of population.

Two types of limiting factors:

1.) Density-dependent
2.) Density-independent

19
 Types of Limiting Factors
1.) Density-dependent
Tend to be more biotic
It affects members of a population because of its density
Includes:

Competition for limited resources

Predation
Symbiosis
Disease

20
2.) Density-independent
Tend to be abiotic
Do not rely on the number of organisms present.
Includes:

unusual weather
natural disasters
seasonal cycles
global warming
human activities

21
References:
Campbell/Reece Biology, 7th Edition, Pearson Education
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/population/population-growth