Biology of Single Populations

The following terminology should be part of your working vocabulary:

You should be able to do the following kinds of things:

1. Describe the essential features of population growth using the logistic equation as a model.

2. Describe the simplifying assumptions implicit in the logistic equation. In particular, be able to tell how real populations violate the assumptions and what deviations from the logistic curve would be expected.

3. Describe what a survivorship curve is, and in general terms, how it is constructed. Be able to explain what is being shown in Tables 15-1, 15-2 and 15-3. Construct lx curves from the data in the table.

4. In general terms, describe the construction of the lxbx curve.

5. Discuss the concept of reproductive value.

6. Describe an age structure pyramid, and in general terms, how it is constructed. Be able to interpret Figure 15-8.

7. Describe how the age pyramid and survivorship curves are useful tools in predicting long term changes in population size and tell why neither is sufficient in itself to make the prediction.

8. Describe some of the major problems in determining population size. In particular, you should be able to describe general patterns of population dispersion by applying the relationship of mean to variance characteristic of a random dispersion pattern.

9. Describe two demographic features that can be manipulated to decrease the rate of growth of the human population without increasing the mortality.

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