G5 Population ecology

Monday, 9 July 2012 2:22 PM

G.5.1 Distinguish between r-strategies and K-strategies.

r-strategy invests more resources into: Produce many offspring Have short life span Early maturity Reproduce once Have small body size
K-strategy invests more resources into: Development and long-term survival Longer life span Late maturity Parental care Production of few offspring Reproduce more than once Some organisms display extreme r- or K strategies Most organisms are intermediate on the continuum Some switch strategies depending on environmental conditions r-strategy species Occurs in unstable environment/ecological disruptions Resources used to maximise reproducing e.g. coastal rock pools Variable New/changed by environmental crisis Pioneer organisms Early and often, many offspring Very variable, often well below the maximum carrying capacity Characteristic Favoured environment K-strategy species In stable/predictable environments More resources are invested for long-term survival e.g. forests Wide and varied range of established species

Rate of reproduction Size of population

Slowly, few offspring Small; significant time and effort invested in rearing young

Emigration and recolonisation are common Short

Poor competitors High and variable Pathogens, pest species

Tendencies for emigration and immigration Lifespan

Mortality rate and survival qualities Examples

Settled, stable communities individuals unlikely to move on Long

Low and regular Trees, humans, whales

Response to competition Strong competitors

G.5.2 Discuss the environmental conditions that favour either r-strategies or K-strategies.

In a predictable environment, in order to maximize fitness, it pays to invest resources in long-term development and long life (K-strategy). In an unstable environment, it is better to produce as many offspring as quickly as possible (r-strategy). Of concern is that ecological disruption favours rOption G Page 1

offspring as quickly as possible (r-strategy). Of concern is that ecological disruption favours rstrategists such as pathogens and pest species. G.5.3 Describe one technique used to estimate the population size of an animal species based on a capture markreleaserecapture method. Capture-mark-release-recapture method enables to estimate population size Catching some of population --> marking them Marked animals released into ecosystem, allowed to mix Second sample is captured, some marked some unmarked Proportion of marked : unmarked in second sample is the same as original

Population size (N) = (n1xn2)/n3 Limitations: Marks on animals may injure them, make them visible to predators Assumes that population is closed (no immigration/emigration)

G.5.4 Describe the methods used to estimate the size of commercial fish stocks.
Fishing mortality: proportion of fish stocks taken each year during commercial fishing Spawning stock biomass (SSB): total mass of mature fish in population Recruitment: number of young fish produced each year that survive into SSB Landing: total annual tonnage of fish landed by fishing fleet

1.

Market sampling: Landings of fish sampled --> compile info on fish length and age Age examined by ear otolith (layers of bone added annually) Data allow estimation of age structure

2. Discard sampling: Mass of fish caught then discarded Discarded because: No commercial value Below legal minimum landing size Quota limits exceeded Discard data + landings data --> total catch from stocks

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3.

Research vessel surveys: Investigate distribution and abundance of adult stocks and recruits Surface species assessed by acoustic surveys (sonar equipment) Bottom-dwelling species monitored by trawling surveys (no. of fish caught per hour)

G.5.5 Outline the concept of maximum sustainable yield in the conservation of fish stocks. MSY: highest proportion that can be removed from total population without jeopardising maximum yield in future Stock is too small--> not enough adult fish to produce sufficient young --> over-fishing Stock is too large --> annual reproductive rates may be low due to competition for food MSY is between the 2 extremities Enough fish stock must be left to spawn a new population to maintain MSY G.5.6 Discuss international measures that would promote the conservation of fish. Fishing nations have implemented control measures Because of intensive fishing in Western Europe --> overexploit resource e.g. bans on fishing of certain species 1. 2. a) b) c) d) e) Total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas TACs: figures for overall weight of fish fishing boats can land Agreed by member states annually Based on advice from scientists in ICES Each type divided between member states Each state has quota for individual fish stocks Technical conservation (TC) Further line of protection for breeding stocks Aim to make fishing more selective Reduce discarding of young fish Set minimum landing sizes to discourage catch of small fish Specific mesh sizes so small fish can escape Separator devices to prevent catch of more vulnerable stocks Restrict type of fishing gear allowed in certain localities Close down areas to certain type of fishing permanently/part of the year

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