Problem 3
Define annual, perennial, semelparous and iteroparous. Try to give an example of both an animal and a plant for each of the four possible combinations of these terms. In which cases is it difficult (or impossible) to come up with an example and why?
Problem 6
Describe what are meant by aggregated, random and regular distributions of organisms in space, and outline, with actual examples where possible, some of the behavioral processes that might lead to each type of distribution.
Problem 8
Compare unitary and modular organisms in terms of the effects of intraspecific competition both on individuals and on populations.
Problem 9
What is meant by the carrying capacity of a population? Describe where it appears, and why, in: (i) S-shaped population growth; (ii) the logistic equation; and (iii) dome-shaped net recruitment curves.
Problem 10
Explain why an understanding of life history trade-offs is central to an understanding of life history evolution. Explain the contrasting trade-offs expected to be exhibited by \(r\) -selected and \(K\) -selected species.
