ENV-2203

ECOLOGY & BIODIVERSITY

HOSNEY JAHAN SRABONI

Lecturer
Department of Environmental Science
Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)

C-11 - Date: 10/03/2024

 • Population Ecology
• Ecological Amplitude and Law of Tolerance
• Characteristics of Population
Outline • Population Structure
• Population Dispersal
• Interactions among Population
Population Ecology
• A group of individuals of a particular species occupying a definite
space in which the individuals interact, interbreed and exchange
genetic information is referred as population.
• Self regulatory unit of community.
• Small subgroups of population is referred as demes or local
populations.
• The branch of ecology that deals with the characteristics,
structure and regulations of population, is called population
ecology.
Ecological Amplitude and Law of Tolerance

• A range of environmental conditions within which a species shows its

characteristics growth potentiality is called ecological amplitude or
tolerance.
• The geographical distribution of a species is determined by the
environmental factors
• Species tend to be found in locations where these environmental
conditions are suitable for their survival and reproduction, and their
distribution may be limited by their ability to tolerate or adapt to
different environmental conditions.
 Ecological Amplitude and Law of
Tolerance

• According to Shelford’s (1913)

Law of Tolerance, Each
environmental factor has two
limits- the maximum and the
minimum limits within which a
species survives. They are called
limit of tolerance.
• Maximum growth of a species is
exhibited at the optimum.
 Ecological Amplitude and Law of
Tolerance

• Physiological stress and loss of

vigor starts appearing towards
the limits of tolerance and the
individuals of one species are
unable to compete with the
better adapted individuals of
other species. Consequently, they
become infrequent.
Characteristics of Population
Population density
Natality
Mortality
Population growth
Age distribution
Population fluctuation
Population Structure

Interactions among
Population Dispersion
Populations
Population Dispersal
• Movement of individuals into or out of the population is called
population dispersal
• Plays important role in the geographical distribution of organisms.
• Occurs for various reasons such as food, protection, prevention from
overcrowding, action of wind and water, environmental factors such
as light, temperature, breeding behavior, physiological reasons or for
interchange of genetic materials between the populations
 • Population dispersal occurs in nature in
following three ways:
Population • Emigration
Dispersal • Immigration and
• Migration
Population Dispersal: Emigration
• One way movement of individuals out of a population
• The movement is permanent, and causes spread of species to new areas
• Emigration under natural condition occurs when there is overcrowding in
the population
• Offers new opportunity to the individuals of a population to interbreed
with those of the other populations leading to more genetic heterozygosity
Population Dispersal: Immigration

• Immigration is one way movement of individuals into a population

• Leads to rise in population density
• It may result in decreased mortality among the immigrants or decreased
reproductive capacity of the individuals.
Population Dispersal: Migration
• Migration is two-way mass movement of the entire population
• Involves a periodic departure and return of the individuals of a
population.
• Occurs during unfavorable periods.
• Shown by many birds, fishes and certain mammals.
• Occurs for food, shelter or reproduction.
• Migration has certain benefits for populations as it enables wider
dispersion of populations
• It avoids intraspecific competition for food, shelter etc
 • Neutralism
• Commensalism
• Protocooperation
Interactions • Mutualism
among • Amensalism
population • Parasitism
• Cannibalism
• Predation
• Competition
Reference
• Book: Plant Ecology and Soil Science- Chapter 4
Thank you