Module 02 - Population Regulation, Fluctuation, Dispersion, R&K Selection, Ecophene & Ecotype

ECOLOGY
ECOLOGY – S5
STRUCTURE – PART 1
• POPULATION REGULATIONS
• POPULATION FLUCTUATIONS
• POPULATION DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGY – S5
POPULATION REGULATION
• THE DENSITY OF A POPULATION IS

NEVER CONSTANT.
• IT CAN BE REGULATED BY A NUMBER OF

BIOTIC & ABIOTIC FACTORS, OR THE
POPULATION SIZE.
• THE TWO TYPES OF REGULATIONS ARE :

• DENSITY DEPENDENT
• DENSITY INDEPENDENT
ECOLOGY – S5 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/environmental-limits-to-population-growth/
DENSITY DEPENDENT REGULATION
• OCCURS WHEN POPULATION GROWTH RATES ARE REGULATED BY THE DENSITY OF A POPULATION.
• DENSITY-DEPENDENT FACTORS, ARE BIOTIC IN NATURE:
• TOP DOWN PROCESS : PREDATION, INTER AND INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION, PARASITES.
• BOTTOM UP PROCESS : LIMITATION OF FOOD SUPPLY
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/environmental-limits-to-population-growth/
ECOLOGY – S5 https://cbs.umn.edu/research/labs/lionresearch/research/population-regulation
HOW DOES IT WORK?
ASSUME A PRIDE OF LIONS. FOR THEM:
• INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PREY AVAILABLE

NEARBY, AND INCREASE IN FOREST COVERS
RESULTS IN INCREASE IN DENSITY.
https://cbs.umn.edu/research/labs/lionresearch/research/population-regulation
ECOLOGY – S5 http://ravenwhimsy.tumblr.com/post/165134053944/maureen2musings-family
• HOWEVER INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF

YOUNG MALES, WILL RESULT IN INTRASPECIFIC
COMPETITION FOR PREY, TERRITORY & MATES.
THIS RESULTS IN INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF
PREY, LEADING TO AN OVERALL DECLINE. IN
THE ABSENCE OF ADEQUATE FOOD SOURCES,
THERE WILL BE A DECREASE IN DENSITY.
ECOLOGY – S5 https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/04/pride-of-lions-poisoned-in-uganda.html
• A DISEASE OUTBREAK WOULD RESULT IN AN

IMMEDIATE DECLINE IN DENSITY. HOWEVER,
DUE TO REDUCED COMPETITION; FOOD
SUPPLIES WILL INCREASE, AND THE
POPULATION WILL SWIFTLY REACH ITS
CARRYING CAPACITY IN A SHORTER TIME.
ECOLOGY – S5 https://www.abercrombiekent.co.uk/destinations/africa/kenya
DENSITY INDEPENDENT REGULATION
• OCCURS WHEN POPULATION GROWTH RATES ARE REGULATED BY EXTERNAL CHEMICAL FACTORS.
• WEATHER, NATURAL DISASTERS & POLLUTION.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/environmental-limits-to-population-growth/
ECOLOGY – S5 https://cbs.umn.edu/research/labs/lionresearch/research/population-regulation
HOW DOES IT WORK?
ASSUME A PACK OF POLAR BEARS. FOR THEM:
• INCREASED RATES OF GLOBAL WARMING

DUE TO HUMAN ACTIVITIES RESULTS IN A LOSS
OF HABITAT. THIS IN TURN RESULTS IN A LOSS
OF SHELTER AND FOOD.
ECOLOGY – S5 https://inhabitat.com/photo-of-frail-polar-bear-illuminates-the-tragedy-unfolding-in-the-arctic/
ECOLOGY – S5
POPULATION FLUCTUATION
• POPULATIONS CONSTANTLY SHOW A

CHANGE IN NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS
OVER TIME.
• SOME OF THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE

ARE:
• BIOTIC POTENTIAL
• NATALITY & MORTALITY
• MIGRATION
• THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS RESULT IN
THE ABOVE FACTORS:
• ANNUAL VARIATION
• SEASONAL VARIATION
ECOLOGY – S5 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/environmental-limits-to-population-growth/
POPULATION FLUCTUATION
ANNUAL VARIATION SEASONAL VARIATION
• BROUGHT ABOUT EVERY YEAR. • OCCUR WITH CHANGES IN SEASONS DUE TO :
• DETERMINED BY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: • CHANGES IN ATMOSPHERIC

CONDITIONS
• INTRINSIC FACTORS : FACTORS WITHIN
THE POPULATION (INTERACTIONS). • AVAILABILITY OF FOOD & SHELTER
• EXTRINSIC FACTORS : EXTERNAL • ADAPTABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. OF A POPULATION.
• PREDICTABLE & CONSIDERED A CYCLE. • UNPREDICTABLE IN NATURE.
ECOLOGY – S5 FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY – DASH ET AL, 2009

ECOLOGY – S5
POPULATION DISPERSIONS
• POPULATION SIZE AND DENSITY ARE THE

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF A
POPULATION.
• ADDITIONAL INSIGHT CAN BE ATTAINED

BY STUDYING HOW POPULATIONS ARE
DISPERSED OR DISTRIBUTED IN A GIVEN
AREA.
• DISPERSION OR DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS

SHOW THE SPATIAL RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN MEMBERS OF A POPULATION
WITHIN A HABITAT.
ECOLOGY – S5 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/population-demography/
POPULATION DISPERSIONS
• PATTERNS ARE OFTEN CHARACTERISTIC

OF A PARTICULAR SPECIES. THEY
DEPEND ON:
• LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS
• THE GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS
(PLANTS)
• THE BEHAVIOR (ANIMALS).
• THE THREE TYPES OF PATTERNS ARE:
• UNIFORM DISPERSION
• RANDOM DISPERSION
• CLUMPED DISPERSION
POPULATION DISPERSION
UNIFORM DISPERSION
WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE UNIFORMLY

DISTRIBUTED, OVER A GIVEN AREA.
• OBSERVED IN ALLELOPATHIC PLANTS, THAT

POISON ITS SURROUNDING SOIL. HENCE A
FIXED DISTANCE IS MAINTAINED BY OTHER
PLANTS OF THE SAME SPECIES. EG: SAGE
PLANT.
• OBSERVED IN ANIMALS WHICH OCCUPY

FIXED TERRITORIES. EG: NESTING PENGUINS.
https://www.almanac.com/plant/sage
ECOLOGY – S5 http://www.animalplanet.com/wild-animals/penguin/
RANDOM DISPERSION
WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE SCATTERED, OVER A

GIVEN AREA.
• OBSERVED IN PLANTS WHOSE SEED DISPERSAL

IS WIND BASED. EG: DANDELION.
ECOLOGY – S5 https://www.yourlocalwaggaweekly.com.au/2017/12/02/789/
CLUMPED DISPERSION
WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE FOUND VERY CLOSE

TOGETHER, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR LOCATION.
• OBSERVED IN PLANTS THAT DROP THEIR SEEDS

STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND. EG: OAK TREE
• OBSERVED IN ANIMALS THAT MOVE AND LIVE

IN HERDS OR PACKS. EG: A SCHOOL OF FISH,
HERD OF ELEPHANTS.
• CLUMPED DISPERSION CAN ALSO OCCUR

WHEN FAVORABLE CONDITIONS ARISE. EG:
LIONS AROUND A WATERING HOLE.
ECOLOGY – S5 https://www.theodysseyonline.com/mightyoak
ECOLOGY – S5 https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/1e/47/9b1e4718d03d0d26ac820cf8d52c6ada.jpg
ECOLOGY – S5 http://deskbg.com/view/23496/
ECOLOGY – S5
• R & K SELECTION
• ECOTYPES & ECOPHENES
ECOLOGY – S5
R & K SELECTION
THE SELECTION OF COMBINATIONS OF

TRAITS IN AN ORGANISM THAT TRADE OFF
BETWEEN QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF
OFFSPRING.
• R – GROWTH RATE
• K – CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
• USED TO STUDY DIFFERENCES IN

SUBSPECIES, OR ENTIRE SPECIES.
ECOLOGY – S5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R/K_selection_theory
FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY – DASH ET AL, 2009
R & K SELECTION
R SELECTION
• HAVE HIGH GROWTH RATES.
• EXPLOIT LESS-CROWDED ECOLOGICAL

NICHES.
• PRODUCE MANY OFFSPRING.
• EACH OFFSPRING HAS A RELATIVELY LOW

PROBABILITY OF SURVIVING TO ADULTHOOD.
• SURVIVE IN UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENTS.
• EG: SMALLER ORGANISMS LIKE DANDELION,

RATS
ECOLOGY – S5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R/K_selection_theory
FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY – DASH ET AL, 2009
R & K SELECTION
K SELECTION
• LIVE AT DENSITIES CLOSE TO THEIR CARRYING

CAPACITY.
• EXPLOIT CROWDED ECOLOGICAL NICHES &

ARE STRONG COMPETITORS.
• PRODUCE FEW OFFSPRING.
• EACH OFFSPRING HAS A RELATIVELY HIGH

PROBABILITY OF SURVIVING TO ADULTHOOD.
• SURVIVE IN STABLE ENVIRONMENTS.
• EG: LARGER ORGANISMS LIKE HUMANS,

WHALES, EAGLES ETC.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R/K_selection_theory
ECOLOGY – S5 FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY – DASH ET AL, 2009
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/wpy/gallery/2017/images/special-award-people-s-choice/5285/elegant-mother-and-calf.html
• R & K SELECTION
ECOLOGY – S5
ECOTYPES & ECOPHENES
• EVEN AMONGST THE SAME SPECIES,

VARIATIONS ARE OBSERVED IN TERMS
OF:
• APPEARANCE
• FOOD HABITS
• METABOLISM
• GROWTH
• THESE VARIATIONS CAN BE OF TWO

TYPES:
• ECOTYPE
• ECOPHENE
ECOLOGY – S5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotype
https://eco-intelligent.com/2016/11/13/ecophene-ecotone-ecospecies-taking-adaptations-to-the-next/
ECOTYPE
• ORGANISMS OF THE SAME SPECIES, WHICH

HAVE VARIATIONS IN PHYSICAL &
BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS.
• THESE VARIATIONS OCCUR AT A GENETIC

LEVEL.
• OBSERVED IN ORGANISMS OF THE SAME

SPECIES LIVING IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC
LOCATIONS, AS A FORM OF PERMANENT
ADAPTATION.
• EG: SKIN COLOR IN HUMANS,

CHARACTERISTICS OF REINDEER FOUND IN
TUNDRA & WOODLAND.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotype
ECOLOGY – S5 https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-7354993-stock-footage-wild-reindeer-in-arctic-tundra.html
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A5:Profile_of_a_Bull_Caribou_(7956336958).jpg
ECOPHENE
• ORGANISMS OF THE SAME SPECIES, WHICH

HAVE VARIATIONS IN PHYSICAL &
BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS.
• THESE VARIATIONS ARE TEMPORARY AND CAN

BE CHANGED WITH A CHANGE IN
ENVIRONMENT.
• OBSERVED IN ORGANISMS OF THE SAME

SPECIES LIVING IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC
LOCATIONS. WHEN BROUGHT TO A NEUTRAL
ENVIRONMENT, ALL SPECIES WILL SHOW THE
SAME TRAITS.
• EG: SIZE OF GOLD FISHES CHANGE IN AN

AQUARIUM.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecophenotypic_variation
ECOLOGY – S5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGBZXKmghcg
https://mashable.com/2016/08/16/giant-goldfish-australia/#RxacujMbPkqy
• R & K SELECTION
ECOLOGY – S5
ECOLOGY
ECOLOGY – S5

Module 02 - Population Regulation, Fluctuation, Dispersion, R&K Selection, Ecophene & Ecotype

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Module 02 - Population Regulation, Fluctuation, Dispersion, R&K Selection, Ecophene & Ecotype

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ECOLOGY

• THE DENSITY OF A POPULATION IS

• IT CAN BE REGULATED BY A NUMBER OF

• THE TWO TYPES OF REGULATIONS ARE :

DENSITY DEPENDENT REGULATION

• DENSITY-DEPENDENT FACTORS, ARE BIOTIC IN NATURE:

• TOP DOWN PROCESS : PREDATION, INTER AND INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION, PARASITES.

• BOTTOM UP PROCESS : LIMITATION OF FOOD SUPPLY

HOW DOES IT WORK?

ASSUME A PRIDE OF LIONS. FOR THEM:

• INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PREY AVAILABLE

• HOWEVER INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF

• A DISEASE OUTBREAK WOULD RESULT IN AN

DENSITY INDEPENDENT REGULATION

• WEATHER, NATURAL DISASTERS & POLLUTION.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

ASSUME A PACK OF POLAR BEARS. FOR THEM:

• INCREASED RATES OF GLOBAL WARMING

• POPULATIONS CONSTANTLY SHOW A

• SOME OF THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE

• THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN

ANNUAL VARIATION SEASONAL VARIATION

• BROUGHT ABOUT EVERY YEAR. • OCCUR WITH CHANGES IN SEASONS DUE TO :

• DETERMINED BY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: • CHANGES IN ATMOSPHERIC

• EXTRINSIC FACTORS : EXTERNAL • ADAPTABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

• PREDICTABLE & CONSIDERED A CYCLE. • UNPREDICTABLE IN NATURE.

ECOLOGY – S5 FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY – DASH ET AL, 2009

• POPULATION SIZE AND DENSITY ARE THE

• ADDITIONAL INSIGHT CAN BE ATTAINED

• DISPERSION OR DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS

• PATTERNS ARE OFTEN CHARACTERISTIC

• THE THREE TYPES OF PATTERNS ARE:

WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE UNIFORMLY

• OBSERVED IN ALLELOPATHIC PLANTS, THAT

• OBSERVED IN ANIMALS WHICH OCCUPY

WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE SCATTERED, OVER A

• OBSERVED IN PLANTS WHOSE SEED DISPERSAL

WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE FOUND VERY CLOSE

• OBSERVED IN PLANTS THAT DROP THEIR SEEDS

• OBSERVED IN ANIMALS THAT MOVE AND LIVE

• CLUMPED DISPERSION CAN ALSO OCCUR

• ECOTYPES & ECOPHENES

THE SELECTION OF COMBINATIONS OF

• K – CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE

• USED TO STUDY DIFFERENCES IN

• HAVE HIGH GROWTH RATES.

• EXPLOIT LESS-CROWDED ECOLOGICAL

• PRODUCE MANY OFFSPRING.

• EACH OFFSPRING HAS A RELATIVELY LOW

• SURVIVE IN UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENTS.

• EG: SMALLER ORGANISMS LIKE DANDELION,

• LIVE AT DENSITIES CLOSE TO THEIR CARRYING

• EXPLOIT CROWDED ECOLOGICAL NICHES &

• PRODUCE FEW OFFSPRING.

• EACH OFFSPRING HAS A RELATIVELY HIGH

• SURVIVE IN STABLE ENVIRONMENTS.

• EG: LARGER ORGANISMS LIKE HUMANS,

• ECOTYPES & ECOPHENES

• EVEN AMONGST THE SAME SPECIES,

• THESE VARIATIONS CAN BE OF TWO

• ORGANISMS OF THE SAME SPECIES, WHICH

• THESE VARIATIONS OCCUR AT A GENETIC

• OBSERVED IN ORGANISMS OF THE SAME