Population Studies
, Population Studies
Species- a group of organisms with similar characteristics and which are able to interbreed and
produce fertile offspring
Population- a group of organisms of the same species, inhabiting a particular area, in such proximity
that interbreeding can occur, eg goldfish in a pond
Community- populations of different species, living in the same habitat, eg, buck, lion and elephant
Characteristics of a Population
Habitat
-> each population lives in a habitat that supplies all its needs, eg food, water and shelter
-> some species are adaptable and can live in many different habitats spread all over the world,
these populations are not badly affected by climate change, eg rats and pigeons
-> other species are very in their needs and can only survive in certain habitats
these populations are often badly affected by climate change, eg polar bears
Distribution
Organisms are spread or distributed in their habitat in different ways
-> uniform: organisms evenly spread, which seldom happens in nature
-> random: organisms scattered unevenly throughout the area
-> clustered : many animals close together in one area and none elsewhere
Ecological niche
-> a niche refers to the position and role a species plays in its community or ecosystem
-> this includes where it lives, what and when it eats, and the effect it has on the rest of the
community
Density
-> population density is the number of individuals of a population in a given area at a particular time
-> the population density can affect the survival of a population
Very high- only just enough food for survivals, but not for good health
- any change in the environment can cause overpopulation or disaster
Very low- so few animals that they cannot find mates, so little reproduction occurs and the species is
in danger of becoming extinct
, Population Studies
Species- a group of organisms with similar characteristics and which are able to interbreed and
produce fertile offspring
Population- a group of organisms of the same species, inhabiting a particular area, in such proximity
that interbreeding can occur, eg goldfish in a pond
Community- populations of different species, living in the same habitat, eg, buck, lion and elephant
Characteristics of a Population
Habitat
-> each population lives in a habitat that supplies all its needs, eg food, water and shelter
-> some species are adaptable and can live in many different habitats spread all over the world,
these populations are not badly affected by climate change, eg rats and pigeons
-> other species are very in their needs and can only survive in certain habitats
these populations are often badly affected by climate change, eg polar bears
Distribution
Organisms are spread or distributed in their habitat in different ways
-> uniform: organisms evenly spread, which seldom happens in nature
-> random: organisms scattered unevenly throughout the area
-> clustered : many animals close together in one area and none elsewhere
Ecological niche
-> a niche refers to the position and role a species plays in its community or ecosystem
-> this includes where it lives, what and when it eats, and the effect it has on the rest of the
community
Density
-> population density is the number of individuals of a population in a given area at a particular time
-> the population density can affect the survival of a population
Very high- only just enough food for survivals, but not for good health
- any change in the environment can cause overpopulation or disaster
Very low- so few animals that they cannot find mates, so little reproduction occurs and the species is
in danger of becoming extinct
