Name: _______________________________
Population Ecology Quiz
Directions: Match the following terms on the right with the definitions on the left. (1 point each= 6 points total)
1. _____ The amount of births in a population over a period of time A. Population
2. _____ The number of organisms of the same species in an area B. Death rate
3. _____ The spacing of organisms in a population relative to one C. Birth rate
another D. Life Expectancy
4. _____ The amount of deaths in a population over a period of E. Density
time F. Dispersion
5. _____ How long an organism is expected to live
6. _____ The population size per unit of area (number of
individuals/amount of area)
Directions: In the blank provided, write “True” if the statement is true and “False” if the statement is false. (1
point each, 5 points total)
7. ___________ The amount of available food is an example of a density-independent factor.
8. ___________ Per Capita is a phrase that is used to represent a value for each individual.
9. ___________ The hunter-gatherer lifestyle of early humans had high population sizes.
10. ___________The lynx and hare populations influence each other.
11. ___________ The agricultural revolution changed how humans get their food.
Directions: Write the letter of the choice that BEST answers the question. (1 point each, 6 points total)
____ 12. Which of the follow is NOT a type of population dispersion?
a. Uniform
b. Polyform
c. Random
d. Clumped
____ 13. Which is an example of an organism with a Type 1 survivorship curve?
a. Humans
b. Frogs
c. Birds
d. Fish
____ 14. An exponential growth curve resembles which letter?
a. V
b. S
c. M
d. J
____ 15. Increasing which of the following processes will cause the population you’re studying to grow?
a. Death rate
b. Birth rate
c. Immigration
d. Both b and c
____ 16. Which model shows the likelihood of an organism surviving to a certain age?
a. Growth curve
b. Life expectancy
c. Survivorship curve
d. Age structure
____ 17. Which is an example of a density-independent factor?
a. Available Space
b. Available Food
c. Forest fires
d. Available Water
Directions: Calculate the following problems. Show your work!! Remember to put the correct unit for each
answer. (1 point each, 3 points total)
18. Estimate the population size of pine trees in a 10 km2 forest if you counted 5 pine trees in a 1 km2 sample
of the forest. (Divide the whole area [10] by the sample area [1]= P. Then multiply P by the number of pines [5]
counted in the forest) Don’t forget the unit
19. Calculate the population density of a 40 yd2 enclosure with 4 zebras in it.
(Density= # of individuals/amount of area) Don’t forget the unit
20. Estimate this population using mark and recapture technique. A random sample pulled 9 catfish from a
small pond. They were marked and released. A second sample pulled out 7 catfish. 2 had been marked.
[Estimated population= (Number originally marked x total captured the second time) / the number caught that
were marked] Don’t forget the unit
