Population Basics
What are the key factors that influence population changes called?
Limiting Factors
When predator numbers decrease, prey populations usually:
Increase
What type of event in which a disease can quickly spread and kill many animals?
Outbreak
What human activity removes large areas of trees?
Deforestation
Scientists can’t make exact counts of all animals in the world, so they make ______.
Estimates
What term describes a group of the same species in one area?
Population
What happens to prey when predators increase?
Decline
What is the result of a strong disease outbreak?
Population decline
What is the maximum population an environment can support?
Carrying capacity
What method counts animals in a small area to estimate a larger one?
Sampling
When food is plentiful, populations tend to:
Increase
Name a predator/prey pair.
wolf/deer, fox/rabbit, etc.
True or False - Humans can only negatively impact animal populations.
False
Name one limiting factor that affects carrying capacity.
Food, water, space, shelter, etc.
What tools track animal movement over time?
GPS tags
When food is scarce, populations tend to:
Decrease
What are regular increases and decreases in populations called?
Population cycles
What is the protection of animals and habitats called?
Conservation
What has happened to many wildlife species since 1970?
Population decline
What programs use data to estimate populations?
Computer models
What are animals that hunt other animals called?
Predators
What two main factors drive these cycles?
Food and predators
What activity involves illegal hunting of animals?
Poaching
What are major causes of population decline?
Habitat loss (deforestation, pollution, climate change)
What are characteristics that help animals survive called?
Traits