What is in?

1. Define Population Ecology (BASED ON THE SYLLABUS)

Population ecology plays an important role for understanding the influence of humans on the
environment. Human activities, such as deforestation and pollution, can have a major impact on the
abundance of species in a particular area. Population ecology could help us in understanding how human
activities influence the ecosystem and how we could reduce the impact of human activities on the
environment (Infinity Learn, 2023).

A population is a group of individuals of the same species, occupying one specific space and which
arises as part of a biotic community. Population ecology can be defined as the study of the factors that
affect the population and how living and non-living factors influence the size, density, and dispersion of a
population. Moreover, it belongs to the study of the factors that why a population changes over time
(Felder, K. et al, 2023).

2. Enumerate the different characteristics of population (BASED ON THE SYLLABUS)

Characteristics of Population

Ecologists use various terms when understanding and discussing populations of organisms. A
population is all of one kind of species residing in a particular location.

There are three main characteristics of population that Anjana Singh (n.d.) includes: Size, Density, and
Distribution.
 Population Size is referred to the total number of individuals in a population. The larger a
population is, the greater its generic variation and therefore its potential for long-term survival.
 Population Density refers to the number of individuals in a particular area. A low-density area
would have more organisms spread out. High-density areas would have more individuals living
closer together, leading to greater resource competition.
 Population Distribution describes how individuals of a species are spread out, whether they live
in close proximity to each other or far apart, or clustered into groups:

o Uniform dispersion refers to organisms that live in a specific territory.

Image Source:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology /population-
ecology/a/population-size-density-and-dispersal
 o Random dispersion refers to the spread of individuals such as wind-dispersed seeds,
which fall randomly after traveling.

Image Source: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology

/ population-ecology/a/population-size-density-and-dispersal

o Clustered or clumped dispersion refers to a straight drop of seeds to the ground, rather
than being carried, or to groups of animals living together.

Image Source:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology /population-
ecology/a/population -size-density-and-dispersal

1. Calculate the birth rate, mortality rate and natality rate of a population (BASED ON THE
SYLLABUS)

Birth rate – It is the measurement of the births rate of a population. Natality is the ability of a population
to increase by reproduction. It is calculated as the number of births per 1000 individuals per year (LTA,
2021).

Birth
x 1000=Birth Rate
Population

Death rate – It is the measurement of death in a population. Mortality may be expressed as the number
of individuals who died in a given period. It is also called deaths per unit time. It is calculated by death
per 1000 individuals per year (LTA, 2021).

Death
x 1000=Death Rate
Population
 Literature Cited

Anjana Singh (n.d.). Population ecology is the study of populations in relation to the environment,
including environmental influences on population density and distribution, age structure, and
population, size. Retrieved on June 6, 2023, from https://www.deshbandhucollege.ac.in/pdf/
resources/1586278723_BT_(H)_IV-_ECOLOGY.pdf

Infinity Learn (2023). Population – Growth, Types, Attributes, Natality and Mortality Rate. Sri Chaitanya
Education Institution. Retrieved on June 6, 2023, from https://infinitylearn.com/surge/biology/
population/

Felder, K. et al (2023). WHAT IS POPULATION ECOLOGY. ESSAY.BIZ. Retrieved on June 6, 2023, from
https://essay.biz /article/what-is-population-ecology

Khan Academy (2023). Population size, density, & dispersal Retrieved on June 6, 2023, from
https://www. khanacademy.org/science/biology/ecology/population-ecology/a/population-size-
density-and- dispersal

LTA (2021). Population Ecology. Let's Talk Academy. Retrieved on June 7, 2023, from https://letstalk
academy.com /population-ecology/