Module 9S2 Changes in Populations

Lesson 4.9.1S2

4.9.1S2 page 2

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Crash Course - Population

 

The size of a population is the result of four population determining factors at work. These factors can increase, decrease, or work together to maintain population size. They are natality, mortality, immigration, and emigration.

 

Read

Read pages 707–708 in the textbook. Attempt to derive a formula that expresses the effect of natality, mortality, immigration, and emigration on change in population numbers. Then read pages 708-712.

 

Self-Check

To see if your formula works, try the following questions and check your work.

  1. A case study of Swans in Grande Prairie

    A breeding flock of trumpeter swans near Grande Prairie is made up of 50 pairs. This year there were 165 live hatchlings, no new birds joined the flock, 5 animals were shot, and 8 did not return this spring from their migration.

    How has the population of trumpeter swans changed?
Check your work.

 

Try This
  1. Complete the "4.11 Population Size" drag-and-drop activity.
Self-Check

SC 1.

Human Population Change

 

Answer the following questions. You may wish to score your response. (4 marks)

  1. The Canadian population is growing significantly yet birth rates are dropping. Use the dN formula to suggest three different explanations.
  2. Population numbers have much to do with the lifespan of the organism. Why would women of Japanese ethnicity have a longer life expectancy when they live in Japan than when they live in North America? Suggest three possible reasons and explain your answers.
Check your work.

 

Discuss

Native aboriginal Albertans are in many cases given different legal hunting bag limits than non-natives. Research the reasons for this difference and post a response to the question of whether the difference in bag limits is justified. Discuss your work with your instructor and other students.

 

Self-Check

SC 2.
How might a drought that decreased grass populations affect herbivore population numbers? Referring to the formula for ∆N, suggest four different ways.

 

Check your work.

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