Ch. 53 - Population Ecology

Campbell - Campbell Biology 11th Edition

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Urry 11th Edition

Ch. 53 - Population Ecology

Problem 6

Chapter 53, Problem 6

The observation that members of a population are uniformly distributed suggests that
a. Resources are distributed unevenly.
b. The members of the population are competing for access to a resource.
c. The members of the population are neither attracted to nor repelled by one another.
d. The density of the population is low.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of population distribution: Population distribution refers to how individuals within a population are spaced out across a given area. The three main types of distribution are uniform, random, and clumped.

Consider the characteristics of uniform distribution: In a uniform distribution, individuals are evenly spaced. This often occurs when there is competition for resources, leading to each individual maintaining a certain distance from others to access resources efficiently.

Analyze the options given in the problem: Evaluate each option to determine which best explains the uniform distribution. Consider how resource availability and interactions between individuals might influence distribution patterns.

Option a suggests uneven resource distribution, which typically leads to clumped distribution as individuals gather where resources are abundant. Option b suggests competition, which can lead to uniform distribution as individuals space themselves to minimize competition.

Option c suggests neutral interactions, which might lead to random distribution rather than uniform. Option d suggests low density, which does not necessarily imply uniform distribution. Based on these analyses, identify the option that best explains uniform distribution.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Uniform Distribution

Uniform distribution in a population refers to individuals being spaced evenly across an area. This pattern often arises when resources are scarce and evenly distributed, leading to competition among individuals for those resources. It contrasts with clumped or random distributions, where individuals are grouped or scattered without a discernible pattern.

Resource Competition

Resource competition occurs when individuals vie for limited resources necessary for survival, such as food, water, or territory. In a uniformly distributed population, competition is a driving force that can lead to even spacing, as individuals maintain distance to maximize access to resources and minimize overlap with competitors.

Population Density

Population density refers to the number of individuals per unit area or volume. A low population density might suggest less competition and more available resources per individual, whereas high density can lead to increased competition. Uniform distribution can occur at various densities, but it often indicates a balance between resource availability and competition.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Based on current growth rates, Earth's human population in 2019 will be closest to

a. 2.5 million

b. 4.5 billion

c. 7.5 billion

d. 10.5 billion

Textbook Question

During exponential growth, a population always

a. Has a constant per capita population growth rate

b. Quickly reaches its carrying capacity

c. Cycles through time

d. Loses some individuals to emigration

Textbook Question

Which of the following statements about human populations in industrialized countries is incorrect?

a. Birth rates and death rates are high.

b. Average family size is relatively small.

c. The population has undergone the demographic transition.

d. The survivorship curve is Type I.

Textbook Question

According to the logistic growth equation

$\frac{d N}{d t} = r N \frac{(K - N)}{K}$

a. The number of individuals added per unit time is greatest when N is close to zero.

b. The per capita population growth rate increases as N approaches K.

c. Population growth is zero when N equals K.

d. The population grows exponentially when K is small.

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Textbook Question

Scientific study of the population cycles of the snowshoe hare and its predator, the lynx has revealed that

a. Predation is the dominant factor affecting prey population cycling.

b. Hares and lynx are so mutually dependent that each species cannot survive without the other.

c. Both hare and lynx population sizes are affected mainly by abiotic factors.

d. The hare population is r-selected and the lynx population is K-selected.

Textbook Question

Analyzing ecological footprints reveals that

a. Earth's carrying capacity would increase if per capita meat consumption increased.

b. Current demand by industrialized countries for resources is much smaller than the ecological footprint of those countries.

c. It is not possible for technological improvements to increase Earth's carrying capacity for humans.

d. The ecological footprint of the United States is large because per capita resource use is high.