Scribd
Upload
12 views30 pages

TCL4 A Life Study

The document discusses methods for studying populations, including sampling techniques like quadrat sampling and Capture-Mark-Release-Recapture (CMRR) to estimate population sizes. It highlights the importance of random sampling to avoid bias and the role of limiting factors in population growth. Additionally, it covers community interactions, emphasizing predator-prey relationships and competition among species.

Uploaded by

Tushan Khetarpal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views30 pages

TCL4 A Life Study

The document discusses methods for studying populations, including sampling techniques like quadrat sampling and Capture-Mark-Release-Recapture (CMRR) to estimate population sizes. It highlights the importance of random sampling to avoid bias and the role of limiting factors in population growth. Additionally, it covers community interactions, emphasizing predator-prey relationships and competition among species.

Uploaded by

Tushan Khetarpal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 30

A Life Study

Part One: Keeping Careful Count


Populations are constantly changing but
overall may increase, decrease or stay stable.
To study a population, we need to know its
size but many are difficult to count.
Sessile species can be sampled
using transects & quadrats but
more motile species require a
different approach. Information
about each individual can be
gathered as it is counted.

All sampling techniques should be applied as randomly as possible to


avoid bias and get the best picture of the true nature of the population.
How would you identify
& count life in these ecosystems?
Limits of time & cost means we must select
smaller areas to count to represent the whole.

To help eliminate bias, it is best to


randomly select areas to study within the
ecosystem. Those areas should be
studied over as long a period of time as
possible to gather a representative set of
data for the ecosystem.
Quadrat sampling is one method of
determining what to count in the study area.

A square or quadrat of a specific size


is randomly placed in the study area &
everything inside the square is counted.

These can be set up in a ecosystem


and revisited at various times to repeat
the sampling.
This is what a quadrat would look like in a large field study.
Capture-Mark-Release-Recapture (CMRR)
Within a defined area:
➢ capture individuals.
➢ study (if possible) & tag / mark
➢ release individuals.
➢ attempt capture again & tag any
new individuals.
A count of individuals
who are captured and then
recaptured allows for
estimation of population size.
Lincoln Index:

Assumptions:
➢ All individuals have an equal chance of capture.
➢ Released individuals will randomly disperse.
➢ Marking doesn’t affect species ability to survive or reproduce.

Improving Accuracy:
➢ Larger sample sizes & repeated studies.
Example: Estimate the population of gorilla
using the Lincoln Index.
CMRR Data # Gorilla

Captured (& Marked) 25

Recaptured Total 24

Recaptured Marked 8
Palmyra Atoll
Pacific Remote
Islands Marine
National Monument,
United States Minor
Outlying Islands.
Capturing individuals
also allows tracking
devices to be attached.
Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest
living turtle species & are found in both the
Atlantic & Pacific Ocean. They can migrate up
to 18 000 km/year.
Carrying capacity is the maximum population
sustainably supported by the environment.
Limitations of the environment
create resistance to population
growth, slowing the rate in a fixed
geographic area.
This results in a logistical growth
pattern (sigmoidal or S-shaped curve)
that plateaus at the carrying capacity
(K).
A Life Study

Part Two: Curve Competition


Limiting factors are environmental conditions
that control the rate at which population growth
can occur.
Density dependent factors are
influenced by the relative size of a
population.

Density independent factors impact a


population regardless of its size.
Within a population individuals both compete &
cooperate to survive.
Individuals in a population are part
of the same species therefore share the
same ecological niche.

Individuals can also support the


groups survival. Shared parenting, hunting
and huddling for warmth & protection.
A closer
examination of the
S-curve reveals four
distinct stages of
population change.
After a lag phase (due to small reproductive
population), growth rate increases.

Exponential Growth Phase:


Transitional Phase:
➢ N + I >> M + E
➢ N+I>M+E
➢ Mortality is low due to abundant
➢ Resources start to become limited
resources & minimal
& competition increases.
environmental resistance.

Plateau Phase:
➢ N+I=M+E
➢ Population will fluctuate around the carrying capacity.
A Life Study

Part Three:
Community
Membership
A community is a group of species that
interact with each other in an area.
The population of a predator is linked directly
to its prey population.
Top down control: more invertebrates keep producer populations under control,
even when there are abundant resources.
Bottom Up control: producer population is directly linked to available resources.
Some organisms create chemicals to aid them
in interspecific competition.
Antibiotics are secreted by
microorganisms, mostly to kill or prevent the
growth of other microorganisms.

Allelopathic agents are secreted into the


soil by plants to kill or deter the growth of
neighbouring plants.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy