Population and Community Ecology
I. Background and Introduction to Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and their environment.
Understanding these interactions is vital for managing natural resources and addressing global
environmental challenges.
A. Hierarchical Levels of Organization in Ecology
Ecology is studied at multiple, nested levels:
1. Organismal Ecology: Focuses on how individuals adapt and respond to
environmental challenges.
2. Population Ecology (Autecology): Studies the dynamics of a single species
population.
3. Community Ecology (Synecology): Examines interactions among different species
populations.
4. Ecosystem Ecology: Analyzes the flow of energy and the cycling of chemicals
between biotic and abiotic components.
5. Landscape Ecology: Investigates spatial patterns and processes across multiple
ecosystems.
6. Global Ecology (Biosphere): Studies the Earth's processes and their effect on the
global distribution of life.
II. Population Ecology: Principles of Dynamics and Regulation
Population ecology investigates the factors that govern the size, structure, and distribution of
a group of individuals of the same species over time.
A. Population Structure and Distribution
A population's structure is defined by three key characteristics:
1. Population Size (N) and Density:
o Size (N): The total number of individuals.
o Density: The number of individuals per unit area or volume.
o Measurement: Estimated via Quadrat Sampling or Mark-Recapture (Lincoln-
Petersen Index) for mobile species. The estimated population size is:
Equation
2. Dispersion (Spacing Pattern): The spatial arrangement of individuals.
Clumped: Individuals group together (most common, due to resources or social behavior).
Uniform: Individuals are evenly spaced (due to antagonism or competition).
Random: Individual positions are independent of others (rare).
3. Demography and Age Structure: Demography is the study of birth rates (natality),
death rates (mortality), immigration, and emigration.
o Age Structure: The relative proportion of individuals in pre-reproductive,
reproductive, and post-reproductive stages, used to predict future growth trends.
o Survivorship Curves: Plot the proportion of a cohort surviving to each age:
Type I (K-selected), Type II (constant mortality), and Type III (r-selected).
B. Population Growth Models
Population changes over time is modeled mathematically:
1. Exponential Growth Model (Unrestricted):
o Assumes unlimited resources.
o Equation:
o Result: A J-shaped curve indicating accelerating growth.
2. Logistic Growth Model (Restricted):
o Incorporates environmental resistance and the Carrying Capacity ($K$).
o Carrying Capacity (K): The maximum population size the environment can
sustain.
o Equation:
o Result: An S-shaped (Sigmoidal) curve. Growth stabilizes as N approaches K.
C. Life History Strategies: r- and K-Selection
Life history strategies reflect evolutionary trade-offs in resource allocation:
r-Selected Species K-Selected Species
Trait
(Opportunistic) (Equilibrial)
Unpredictable, unstable,
Environment Predictable, stable, near K
disturbed
Offspring Many, small size Few, large size
Early, often semelparous (single Late, often iteroparous (repeated
Reproduction
effort) effort)
Parental Care Little to none Extensive
Examples Insects, weeds, bacteria Elephants, whales, large trees
Next topic: Community ecology
