BIO120H1 Chapter : Biology Reading Notes.doc
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BIO120H1 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
36 documents
Document Summary
Chapter 10: distribution and spatial structure of populations: introduction. Habitat fragmentation is damaging to many species: small isolated subpopulations die out due to lack of genetic diversity. Fragmentation reduces habitat quality, smaller habitat closer any particular point is to the edge (serious consequences involving brown-headed crowbird). Population: individuals of a species within a given area, but since habitats are often patchy, subpopulations form. The extent or distribution of a population is the geographic area occupied by a population during is whole life. Population structure encompasses many attributes including spatial structure: involves density and spacing of individuals: populations are limited to ecologically suitable habitats. Natural world varies, so there are not uniform habitats extending across large areas. Leads to concept of fundamental niche of species: range of physical conditions over which species can persist. However, other factors such as predators, pathogens, and competitors can limit distribution of species to a smaller realized niche.
