54.1
How Do Ecologists Study Populations?
1167
Ecologists use a variety of devices
to track individuals 1167
Population densities can be estimated
from samples 1168
Birth and death rates can be estimated
from population density data 1169
54.2 How
Do Ecological Conditions Affect Life
Histories? 1171
54.3
What Factors Influence Population
Densities? 1173
All populations have the potential
for exponential growth 1173
Population growth is limited by resources
and biotic interactions 1173
Population densities influence birth
and death rates 1174
Several factors explain why some species
are more common than others 1175
54.4 How
Do Spatially Variable Environments
Influence Population Dynamics? 1178
Many populations live in separated
habitat patches 1178
Distant events may influence local
population densities 1178
54.5 How Can
We Manage Populations? 1180
Demographic traits determine sustainable
harvest levels 1180
Demographic information is used to
control populations 1180
Can we manage our own population?
1181
