In population ecology studies across Nigerian savanna ecosystems, several factors govern p… — JAMB UTME

In population ecology studies across Nigerian savanna ecosystems, several factors govern population size and growth rate. Match each population dynamic concept on the left with its corresponding ecological description on the right.

Density-dependent factorAn environmental limiting factor, such as disease outbreak or intraspecific competition, whose impact intensifies as population density increases.
Density-independent factorAn abiotic environmental event, such as a severe bushfire or sudden drought, that causes mortality regardless of initial population density.
Carrying capacity ( $K$ )The maximum sustainable population size of a species that a specific habitat can support over an extended period.
Biotic potential ( $r_{max}$ )The theoretical maximum rate of population reproduction and growth under ideal environmental conditions with unlimited resources.

Answer

Density-dependent factor matches with the environmental limiting factor whose impact intensifies as population density increases; Density-independent factor matches with the abiotic environmental event causing mortality regardless of population density; Carrying capacity (

K

) matches with the maximum sustainable population size a habitat can support; Biotic potential (

r_{max}

) matches with the theoretical maximum rate of population growth under ideal conditions.

Density-dependent factors fluctuate in influence based on population numbers (such as intraspecific competition). Density-independent factors influence mortality uniformly regardless of population density (such as abiotic fire or drought). Carrying capacity (

K

) represents the maximum equilibrium population size an ecosystem's resources can maintain. Biotic potential (

r_{max}

) defines the maximum theoretical reproductive rate under optimal, unrestricted environmental conditions.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the characteristic of density-dependent regulation.

Density-dependent factors operate proportionately to population density (e.g., competition for food, spread of infectious parasites).

As population density rises, individual survival and reproduction drop due to increased resource competition.

Distinguish density-independent regulation.

Density-independent factors are physical/climatic perturbations that kill a fixed percentage of organisms regardless of density.

Abiotic catastrophes like wildfires affect sparse and dense populations equally.

Define carrying capacity (

K

) and biotic potential (

r_{max}

Carrying capacity (

K

) is environmental sustainability bound, whereas biotic potential (

r_{max}

) is maximum intrinsic reproductive output under zero environmental resistance.

Recognizing these equilibrium and theoretical growth parameters clarifies population growth curves (

S

-curve and

J

-curve).

Key Concept

Population Regulation and Dynamic Growth Parameters

Estimated Time:1m 30s

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