EEB 3407: Week 1 Lecture Questions with
Correct Answers
Ecology
The study of organisms and their relationships with the environment.
Three approaches to ecological research
Observational research, experimental research, and theoretical modeling.
Observational approach
Observing and measuring changes in organisms, populations, or communities across
environmental conditions without manipulating them.
Experimental approach
Manipulating conditions in the lab or field to measure response variables.
Theoretical modeling
Using simplified assumptions, equations, or conceptual models to predict ecological patterns.
Population
A group of interbreeding or potentially interbreeding individuals of the same species in a
particular place at a particular time.
Community
A group of individuals of different species occupying a particular place at a particular time.
Ecosystem
A community plus the abiotic environment, with focus on energy and nutrient flows.
, Model
A simplified representation of reality used to understand, predict, or explain ecological
patterns.
Model trade-off
No model can maximize generality, realism, and precision at the same time.
Population size
N; the number of individuals in a population.
Population growth rate
dN/dt; change in population size over time.
Per capita growth rate
1/N dN/dt; population growth rate per individual.
Births
B; individuals added to a population through reproduction.
Deaths
D; individuals removed from a population through mortality.
Immigration
I; individuals entering a population.
Emigration
E; individuals leaving a population.
Closed population
Correct Answers
Ecology
The study of organisms and their relationships with the environment.
Three approaches to ecological research
Observational research, experimental research, and theoretical modeling.
Observational approach
Observing and measuring changes in organisms, populations, or communities across
environmental conditions without manipulating them.
Experimental approach
Manipulating conditions in the lab or field to measure response variables.
Theoretical modeling
Using simplified assumptions, equations, or conceptual models to predict ecological patterns.
Population
A group of interbreeding or potentially interbreeding individuals of the same species in a
particular place at a particular time.
Community
A group of individuals of different species occupying a particular place at a particular time.
Ecosystem
A community plus the abiotic environment, with focus on energy and nutrient flows.
, Model
A simplified representation of reality used to understand, predict, or explain ecological
patterns.
Model trade-off
No model can maximize generality, realism, and precision at the same time.
Population size
N; the number of individuals in a population.
Population growth rate
dN/dt; change in population size over time.
Per capita growth rate
1/N dN/dt; population growth rate per individual.
Births
B; individuals added to a population through reproduction.
Deaths
D; individuals removed from a population through mortality.
Immigration
I; individuals entering a population.
Emigration
E; individuals leaving a population.
Closed population
