1.

a) Define population, - group of interbreeding individual of same specie

b) Describe four variables that govern changes in population size - birth, immigration, death,
emigration
c) Write an equation showing how the above interact - (b+i)-(d+e)
d) What is a population's age structure distribution of individual among various age group
e) What are the three major age groups called - Pre-reproduction, Reproduction, Post-
reproduction
f) Define range of tolerance specie toleration of the difference in physical and chemical
environment
g) Define limiting factor and give an example important factor in managing population growth
like precipitation and temperature
h) State the limiting factor principle too much or too little limiting factor can harm population
growth even if all the other factors are within the range of tolerance

2.
a) Distinguish between the environmental resistance and the carrying capacity of an
environment ER: combination of all factors to limit population growth. CC: maximum
population of a specie a habitat can sustain indefinitely
b) Use these concepts to explain why there are always limits to population growth in nature
because population grow exponential and resources grow linearly, population needs to be
limited to the carrying capacity because the habitat can no longer sustain the specie indefinitely
c) Why are southern sea otters making a slow comeback and what factors can threaten this
recovery female reproduction reasons(1 a year) allow a slow comeback but human and
environmental factors like whales and oil spill are threatening this comeback.

3.
a) Define and give an example of a population crash. sharp decline in population due to the
overshoot of carrying capacity. Ex) Reindeer in Bering See
b) Explain why humans are not exempt from nature's population controls because as a specie
we cant overshoot our carrying capacity or else Earth wont be able to hold us indefinitely
c) Describe the exploding white-tailed deer population problem in the United States and discuss
options for dealing with it its population overshoot unless new resources can be found to feed
that new populatioin
d) Describe two different reproductive strategies that can enhance the long-term survival of a
specie many small offspring with no parental care vs less longer aged offspring
e) Define population density and explain how it can affect the size of some but not all
populations number of individual of a population at a certain area and limit factors magnify
with a higher density like reproduction, food, competition

4.
a) What is ecological succession? change in specie composition in an area due to
environmental changes.
b) Distinguish between primary ecological succession and secondary ecological succession and
give an example of each. primary: gradual establishment of biotic life in lifeless area(bare rock
from lava => forest) secondary new ecosystems of species developed in void fertile area
(wasted farmland)
c) Explain why succession does not follow a predictable path. Due to the different climax
point of each ecosystem, its hard to predict a path for succession.

5.
a) Explain how living systems achieve some degree of sustainability by undergoing constant
change in response to changing environmental conditions positive and negative feedback
loops tell living systems how to adapt to the current changing enviroment.
b) In terms of stability, distinguish between inertia (persistence) and resilience and give an
example of each. inertia: ability to survive moderate disturbance like tropical rain forest
resilience: ability to restore through secondary succession after a severe disturbance like
grassland with nutrients stored in roots.