BI111 Study Guide - Final Guide: Generation Time, Biological Dispersal, Type Ii Submarine
Document Summary
Ecologists study levels of organization ranging from individual organisms to the biosphere. Study of the interactions between organisms (biotic) and their environment (abiotic) Ecologists use experimental or observational data: field or laboratory studies used to test predictions by manipulating variables, data collected about natural experiments do not require manipulations. Sometimes hypotheses framed in mathematical models: allows computer models to simulate natural events and large-scale experiments. Overarching goal of ecology is to understand the causes and consequences of change of population/community structure. Geographic range overall spatial boundaries within which a population lives. Habitat specific environment in which a population lives, as characterized by its biotic and abiotic. Spatial distribution of individuals within the geographic range. Population age structure: relative numbers of individuals of different ages. Sex ratio: relative proportion of males and females. Proportion reproducing: particularly relevant to conservation of any species in which individuals are rare or widely dispersed in habitat.
