1. Population Ecology and the Distribution of Organisms
Paige, Erica, Sierra, Vanessa

2. Ecology
Ecology: the study of the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
The different types of ecology:
Global ecology-regional exchange of energy and materials that influences the functioning and distribution of organisms across the biosphere
Population-Analyzes factors that affect population size and how and why it changes through time
Landscape-focuses on the factors controlling exchange of energy, material, and organisms across multiple ecosystems.
Ecosystem -emphasizes energy flow and chemical cycling between organisms and the environment
Community -Examines how interactions between species, such as predation and competition, affect community structure and organization.
Organism -Concerned with how an organism's structure, physiology and behavior meet the challenges posed by its environment

3. Earth’s Climate Influences the Structure and Distribution of Terrestrial Biomes
Factors that contribute to the different biomes:
Seasons
Bodies of water
Air circulation

4. Different Biomes
Biomes-any of the world's major ecosystems depending on vegetation for land biomes and physical environment for aquatic biomes
2 factors that make each biome different is temperature and rainfall
Types of biomes:
Tropical rainforest
Savanna
Desert
Chaparral
Tundra

5. The Exponential & Logistic Models
Exponential: No carrying capacity and grow at rapid rate
Logistic: Starts growing at exponential rate but will slow down. Has a carrying capacity

6. Interactions Between Organisms and the Environment Limit the Distribution of Species
The distribution of species may be limited by
Dispersal-movement of individuals or gametes away from their area of origin or of areas of high population density.
biotic (living) factors- like other species (predator & prey)
abiotic (physical) factors-temperature extremes, salinity and water availability
Patterns of Dispersion

7. Population Density and Demography
Population density- the number of individuals per unit area or volume- reflects the interplay of births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.
Increase population: births and immigration. Decrease Population: deaths and emigration
Demography-the study of the vital statistics of populations and how they change over time
Types of graphs and charts that show/represent demography:
Survivorship curves
Life tables
Reproductive tables

8. Survivorship Curve
Type I- low death rates at the beginning years of life and then drops steeply as death rates increase at older age
Type II- constant death rates throughout the organism's life
Type III- high death rates among young and low death rates among the older that survive

9. Population Dynamics are Influenced Strongly by Life History Traits and Population Density
Life history traits: evolutionary outcomes that are reflected in development, physiology and the behavior of organisms.
Density-dependent changes in birth and death rates curb population increase through negative feedback.
Density-dependent limiting factors:
intraspecific competition for limited food or space
increased predation
disease
intrinsic physiological factors
Build up of toxic substances
Metapopulation: a group of populations linked by immigration and emigration

10. Key Concepts
Earth's climate influences the structure and distribution of terrestrial biomes
Aquatic biomes are diverse and dynamic systems that cover most of the earth
Interactions between organisms and the environment limit the distribution of species

11. Key Concepts Cont.
Dynamic biological process influence population density, dispersion, and demographics
The exponential and logistic models describe the growth of populations
Population dynamics are influenced strongly by life history traits and population density

12. Thanks for listening!

13. BYE