Title: Week 11 overview
Course: BIO-182 RTZ > Section: week 11 - Population Ecology

Image caption: cc by sa

TO DO before [Date/Time selected here]:

- Read: Chapter 55 (Population Ecology)
- Complete: LaunchPad Learning Curve (Chapter 55)
- Complete: LaunchPad LEarning Activities (Chapter 55)
- Complete: LAB - Population Ecology
- Optional: LaunchPad Summary Quiz (Chapter 55)
- Optional: Read the lecture notes provided. Remember to download the presentation so you can access the notes beneath the slides.
- Optional: Exam 4b [Your due date here]

CHAPTER OVERVIEW:

Chapter 55 provides an overview of the field of population ecology. A population is defined as a group of individuals of a single species that interact with each other in a particular place and time.

- The chapter begins by describing various measures ecologists use to describe a population – chp 55.1. READ this section.
- Next, the authors examine population dynamics. While an important aspect of populations, you can skim most of this section.  However, please READ the part on survivorship curves (pages 1155 & 1156) carefully.
- Skim section 55.3.
- READ section 55.4 (factors that limit population densities) thoroughly. The concepts of biotic potential, exponential and logistic growth, carrying capacity, density-dependent and independent factors and life history strategies are central to understanding  principles of population ecology.
- A condition facing many species is that of habitat destruction and subsequent formation of separated patches of habitat suitable for habitation. Section 55.5 discusses this phenomenon. READ this.
- Finally, in section 55.6, the authors discuss how wildlife managers use the principles of ecology to manage populations. READ this section carefully. The information presented is topical to many issues facing numerous species today!

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

- Population Ecology by Craig Savage   (16 minute video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAgNdTCRCao

- Population Ecology by Crash Course Biology (case study based presentation)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBOsqmBQBQk

- Population Ecology by Bozeman Science

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ-CQ3CQE3g