Age structure in population

Age of individuals in a population

Age of some organisms can be determined

fairly because they possess some character
which leaves a regular pattern in their
structure representing some fixed time
interval (such as a year)

Annual Growth Rings of temperate trees.

 Age structure in population
 Determination of exact age of most organisms are impossible as they do not have
a structure which records yearly cycles or if they have such studies can be
performed only by harming or killing them.

 Organisms can be grouped into broad categories based on the stage in the life
cycle each individual has reached.

 After investigating many forms of plants several stages can be recognized; seed,
seedling, juvenile, immature, virginile, reproductive (young, mature and old),
subsenile and senile.

 Other organisms (e.g. animals and fungi) can also be categorized in similar way.
Age structure of Black Cherry

To determine the age or

stage structure of an
individual at one point in
time

Information of dynamics
of the population is
missing.
Other methods of population study

 Cohort study: Monitor one group of individuals from the beginning

of their life through to their deaths. Such group of organisms from
one population is called cohort. Not suitable for very long lived
studies.

 Age at death : Study of fossils.

 Long term population study

Presentation of demographic data.
Life table: Include the numbers of organisms surviving or dying in a
given time for various age classes and the respective survival and
death rates
Population pyramids: Human demography.
Survivorship curves

Number of individuals which survive per thousand of population through each phase of life
Survivorship curves: Three general shapes