BIO205H5 Chapter 11: Population Distributions
Document Summary
Recognize that regional population was actually composed of many small populations interconnected over a large spatial area. Spatial structure of populations: the pattern density and spacing of individuals. How the distribution of suitable habitat affects the distribution of populations. Properties of population distributions and how they are estimated. Importance of individuals moving between patches of habitats. How providing strips of favourable habitat can facilitate movement b/t habitats to help ensure persistence of populations over time. The distribution of populations is limited to ecologically suitable habitats. Fundamental niche of a species is the range of abiotic conditions under which species can persist. Incl. temperature range, humidity, salinity - that allow a population to survive, grow, and reproduce. Realized niche of a species: the range of abiotic and biotic conditions under which a species persists. Determines the species geographic range: a measure of total area covered by a population.
