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Ch. 53 - Population Ecology
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.

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Identify the key term: 'uniformly distributed' means that individuals in the population are spaced evenly throughout their habitat.
Analyze each option in relation to the key term: a. If resources were distributed unevenly, individuals would likely cluster where resources are abundant, leading to a clumped distribution, not a uniform one.
Continue analyzing: b. Uniform distribution often occurs when competition is intense, as individuals maintain a certain territory to ensure access to sufficient resources.
Evaluate remaining options: c. This option might seem plausible, but uniform distribution typically involves some level of interaction (like competition), rather than a complete lack of interaction.
Conclude with the correct option: b. The most likely reason for a uniform distribution is that members of the population are competing for access to resources, maintaining an even distance from each other to maximize resource availability.

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Key Concepts

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

Population Distribution

Population distribution refers to the way individuals are spaced within a given area. Uniform distribution indicates that individuals are evenly spaced, which can suggest specific ecological interactions, such as competition for resources or territorial behavior. Understanding this concept helps in analyzing how organisms interact with their environment and each other.
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Resource Availability

Resource availability is crucial in determining how populations are distributed. When resources are unevenly distributed, it can lead to clumping of individuals in areas where resources are abundant. Conversely, a uniform distribution may indicate that resources are evenly available, leading to competition among individuals for access to these resources.
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Resource Partitioning (Partial Niche Overlap)

Intraspecific Competition

Intraspecific competition occurs when individuals of the same species compete for limited resources such as food, space, or mates. This competition can influence population dynamics and distribution patterns. A uniform distribution often suggests that individuals are competing for resources, leading to spacing that minimizes overlap and maximizes access to those resources.
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Related Practice
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.

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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.

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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.

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Textbook Question

According to the logistic growth equation dNdt=rN(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

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.

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Textbook Question

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


a. Birth rates and death rates are high.

b. Average family size is relatively large.

c. The population has undergone the demographic transition.

d. The survivorship curve is Type II.

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