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Population Characteristics

OVERVIEW Popuation And IndividualsDefining EcologyDistributionAbundance Population CharacteristicsAge Structure Sex Ratio Dispersal

POPULATIONS AND INDIVIDUALSPopulations are local groups of organisms, all of the same species, in which organisms interact.

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Modular Growthgrowth by vegetative budding of new individuals genetically identical to the original individual.Modular growth leads to two different sorts of individuals: Genet and RametIn animals, genetically identical individuals are often called Clones.In such cases, the total weight of the species (its Biomass) is assessed.Figure 8.6 Plants and Animals That Form Clones

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DEFINING ECOLOGYOperational definition of ecology is the study of the distribution and abundance of organismsThe first complication is the problem of Spatial Scale (the size of area examined)Ex : Dispersal of the plant may involve longer distances if birds eat the fruit and fly from field to field depositing seeds

ANY QUESTION?