ecology1acts

ECOLOGY I

Act #1: Ecology and population
Refer to STARR TEXT pg. 684-685.
1) Describe the problem at Angel Island.
2) How was the problem resolved?
3) What is ecology? (pg. 396 McDOUGAL)
4) What is a population? (pg. 397 McDOUGAL) Give me one example.
5) What is a community? (pg. 397 McDOUGAL) Give me one example also.

Act #2: Accounting for population
1) What is population density?
2) Calculate the population density of the students in this room (people per square feet).
3) How do scientists account for population density in the wild? (pg. 399)
4) Take a look at pg. 401 DATA ANALYSIS. Complete the two calculations on the bottom. Show calculations.

Act #3 Biotic vs Abiotic Factors inhibiting population growth
1) What is a biotic potential?
2) Is a biotic potential possible in real life? Why or why not?
3) What are two factors that limit the biotic potential of a field mouse? An oak tree? Us?
4) Two kinds of factors that control population growth are called biotic (bio = living) and abiotic (non-living) factors. List THREE biotic and abiotic factors that would affect the biotic potential of the deers on Angel Island:
                           Biotic                         Abiotic
                           1)                               1)
                           2)                               2)
                           3)                               3)

Act #4: Density Dependent vs Density Independent Factors
Besides biotic (living) and abiotic factors that inhibit population growth, other factors called density dependent and density independent factors may also contribute to the control of population growth.
1) What is the difference between density dependent and density independent factors?
2) Come up with three examples for each:
                           Density dependent                          Density Independent
                            1)                                                 1)
                            2)                                                 2)
                            3)                                                 3)

Act #5: Review questions pg. 404 #1-4.

Act #6: Population Growth Patterns
1) Again, what things affect population growth patterns?
2) What is ZERO population growth? Is this possible?
3) What happens if population growth goes unchecked? Some of your guesses please.
4) Show what would happen to a population of mice if you start with a pair of mice AND�
a) Each pair of mice produces 4 offspring (1/2 of them males and � of them females) after every 30 days.
b) None of the mice ever die.
c) Use a � sheet of graph paper and label the vertical axis �Number of Mice� and the horizontal �Time in Days�. Make a graph showing the growth of the mice population after 210 days. Attach this graph under Act #5. Label this graph: Exponential Growth.

Notes: This graph is an example of an exponential growth pattern. (It looks like the Nike swoosh symbol.) This type of growth pattern is highly unrealistic because you are just assuming a lot, like the mice never die or that they always have enough food, etc�