Population Ecology

What this topic covers

Determine reasons for rapid changes in human population and consequences of overcrowding. Compute/calculate density as the number of organisms per unit area. Relate increased population, diseases, shortage of food/space with intra- and inter-specific competition. Determine niche differentiation as a means of reducing intra-specific competition. Relate competition to succession. Deduce the effect of these factors on population size. Determine the interactions between biotic (food, pest, disease, predation, competition, reproductive ability) and abiotic (temperature, space, light, rainfall, topography, pressure, pH) factors. Trace the sequence in ecological succession (primary, secondary) to the climax stage of stability in plant population.