NAU Biology BIO 326
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BIO326 : Population : Population Dynamics : Endangered Species

Endangered Species
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DUE: 18-Feb-2000 Assignments sent after the due date will receive a grade of zero.

1. Some species comprise populations whose density is so low that they are in danger of extinction. Pick a species which is on the U.S. list of threatened or endangered species. Post your species to the assignment database. Do not duplicate species.

a) What species did you pick and what is its status?

b) What ecological conditions are probably responsible for the precarious situation of this species (i.e., what hypothesis can you suggest to explain its situation? Suggest an alternative hypothesis.

2. The human population can be considered to be a metapopulation consisting of numerous subpopulations, each with its own characteristics and life table. Compare the "vital statistics" of three countries: the United States, a country from Europe, and a third country from another part of the world.

a) Fill in data for the first seven rows of the following table.

Name of countryUnited States  __________    __________  
Year of data:____________  __________    __________  
Population size:____________  __________    __________  
Total area (km2):____________  __________    __________  
Births/1000:____________  __________    __________  
Deaths/1000:____________  __________    __________  
Population growth rate:____________  __________    __________  
Years to double:____________  __________    __________  
Population size in 2025:  ____________  __________    __________  
Density (per km2):____________  __________    __________  

b) The population growth rate is r, the intrinsic rate of increase, expressed as a percent per year. Calculate values for the last three rows of the table. Then enter the data for the entire table into the text box below.

3. The human population is currently growing at a substantial growth rate and its habitat is becoming considerably less fragmented as the habitat of many other species is becoming much more fragmented.

a) If you were presented with the hypothesis that the human population is not free from density-dependent factors, what type of evidence would you need to test this hypothesis?

b) How would you obtain evidence you need to test the hypothesis?

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E-mail Professor Gaud at William.Gaud@nau.edu
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