(back to Honors Ecology)

 

Welcome to Populations and Invasive Species.

 

                     Why do we care about populations and their growth?  Watch this video, check out the "To Do" Table below and then  follow the numbered steps that begin below the table.

 

 

                                  

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                         "To Do" Table - Population Ecology

What to Read	What to Hand In	Quizzes / Tests to Take
Unit Objectives Unit Vocabulary  Miller and Levine Reading	Reading Questions	self quiz
Why do we study elephants	Guiding Questions
Case Study on Wolves in Yellowstone	Team Presentation
		check for understanding quiz
Invasive Species	Invasive Species Poster
	Thought Questions
		Unit Quiz (in class)

 

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1. Click this link to read the Unit Objective - what you should know and be able to do by the end of this Ecology Unit:

 

2. Click this link to see the list of Key Vocabulary Terms to Know, Understand and Use in your work:

 

3. Read Chapter 5, pp 128-145 in Miller and Levine

     a. As you read the assignment, check for understanding by clicking on and answering the accompanying reading questions

     b. When you have finished the reading,  take the miller_and_levine_population_reading_quiz_-_self_check.htm

 

4. Watch Part 1 of Bozeman Science-Population Ecology. Use the guiding questions to the right to check for understanding.

Guiding Questions   1. What are the four factors that effect a population's size at any given time? 2. How are the ideas of carrying capacity and limiting factor related? 3. What are the two models ecologist use to calculate future population sizes? 4. What is the equation calculating the intrinsic growth rate? 5. What is a density dependent factor? Give an example. 6. What is a density independent factor? Give an example. 7. Why are the sexes and ages of a population important to know when calculating future population growth?

 

 

5. Go to Why and How Do We Survey Elephants?.  Read through the website and answer the guiding questions listed.  answers to be submitted as a paper copy to me.

 

6. Watch the following video on Population Growth Models and answering the guiding questions as you watch the video.

Guiding Questions    1. Write the equation for exponential growth. 2. What is No, Nt and r? 3. If you start with 2 bacteria and they divide every 20 minutes, how many bacteria will you have at the end of three hours? 4. What is the difference between an exponential growth curve and a logistic growth curve? 4. What is K and how is it related to carrying capacity? 5. How does the predator prey relationship differ from a logistic curve? 6. What types of animals follow logistic growth patterns?

 

7. Read the following Case Study on Wolves in Yellowstone. on In your group review the data, resources and consult a management plan presentation for wolves in Yellowstone.

 

8. Self Check Quiz - Take the following multiple choice quiz to check your understanding of population ecology so far.

 

9. Check out the Invasive Species Page - answers to be submitted as a paper copy to me

Unfortunately invasive species, introduced into a new ecosystem, can alter the balance of an established ecosystem and its native populations of plants and animals with grave consequences. Here are a few examples and some questions to answer.

 

10. Answer these Thought Questions as directed and  -