Lab 2: Populations: Survivorship, Distribution, and Population Growth Assignment

Lab 2: Populations: Survivorship, Distribution, and Population Growth

Lab 2 ProceduresThis link will open in a new window

It is highly recommended that you print this document for ease of access while completing the activities.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13ci1K4QpXx54NwM5EpztTkyI_W3_HxiY8_rtYLslGzk/edit

Lab 2 SpreadsheetThis link will open in a new window

Use this spreadsheet to generate graphs and other data as you complete the activities described in the Lab procedures.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xnqu-yHo1NmHG35B22Yvsal0mA96T5Ge_o-Emyo-jrc/edit#gid=217298520

Lab 2 ReportThis link will open in a new window

Analyze data and answer analysis questions. Submit this document when completed.

Lab 2 Report: Survivorship, Distribution, and Population Growth

Record your answers to the corresponding questions as you complete the lab as described in the Lab Procedures. To fill in your answers to each question, click directly below the question and begin typing. When completed, submit this document through the assignment submission page on the Moodle course website.

Part 1: Human Survivorship

Table 1: Human Survivorship Table-Sample Size of 5

Complete the table as described in the lab procedures.

Year

Died

Year

Born

Age at Death

AI

0-10

AI

11-20

AI

21-30

AI

31-40

AI

41-50

AI

51-60

AI

61-70

AI

71-80

AI

81-90

AI

>91

 

%   of Lifespan

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Totals

Graph 1: Human Survivorship, Sample Size of 5

Click directly below this text and insert your graph image:

Graph 2: Human Survivorship, Sample Size of 25

Click directly below this text and insert your graph image:

Graph Analysis

  1. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences you observe between the two graphs. Address average length of life, curve of each graph, youngest and oldest age at death, etc. Hypothesize on whether you think this is a representative curve for people in the United States? (Think back to the Population Bureau data!)
  2. What type of survivorship curve does each population appear to demonstrate? Keep in mind that once all the people are dead, the curve ends. A flat line on the X axis should not be considered part of your curve.
  3. Does a sample size of 5 seem adequate for assessing human survivorship? Explain your answer.
  4. Discuss some major events in human history that can explain the differences in the different human survivorship curves throughout history. Be sure to incorporate terminology presented in the learning materials this week. (i.e. density dependent factors, growth rate, early/late/constant loss, etc).

Data Analysis

Answer the following questions, using your sample size of 25. (Be careful in your responses here! Pay close attention to data reported in the graph (percent of survivors) vs. what the questions below are asking for (percent of dead!)

  1. What is the youngest age of death in your data set?
  2. The oldest age at death?
  3. At what age has 25% of your sample population died?
  4. 50% died?
  5. 75% died?

Part 2: Feather Survivorship

Table 2: Feather Survivorship Data

Feather Number

(Control)

Time

to Death

Feather Number

(Parental)

Time

to Death

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

8

8

9

9

10

10

11

11

12

12

13

13

14

14

15

15

16

16

17

17

18

18

19

19

20

20

Graph 3: Feather Survivorship

Click directly below this text and insert your graph image:

Feather Survivorship Analysis

  1. For each of your graphs, identify the type of survivorship each illustrate. While they may appear similar, look closely for subtle differences. Provide an example of an animal that might also have a similar survivorship curve. Keep in mind that once all the feathers are dead, the curve ends. A flat line on the X axis should not be considered part of your curve.
  2. Describe the differences and similarities you observe between the two graphs that are generated different. Do you feel that your graphs demonstrate an advantage to providing parental care? (Be descriptive as possible, using appropriate terminology).

Part 3: Distribution Patterns

Table 3: Coin Flip Data

Coin Flip

Number of Algae Touched

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

9

20

Table 4: Index of Dispersion

Target Species per Plot

(X)

Number of plots

(E)

Number of Algae Counted

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Totals

(n) =

(N) =

Index of Dispersion (Id)

Part 4: Population Growth Activity

Be sure to show your calculations in this section! You may choose to use pencil and paper to calculate, just be sure to indicate how you arrived at the numbers you report. If you do not supply your calculations you instructor may not be able to provide you meaningful feedback on incorrect answers and you risk losing credit for this section!

Table 5: Tide Pool Population Counts

Species
Algae
Adult Urchins
Young Urchins
Dead Urchins
Population Count

Density and Distribution of Algae

  1. Calculate the density of the algae. Be sure to show your calculations and use appropriate units. Hint: We discussed density in the lecture slideshow about population demographics!)
  2. Based on the index of dispersion you generated in Part 3, what pattern best describes the algae?
  3. What might this pattern tell us about the lifestyle of the algae and the habitat that they live in?

Sea Urchin Population

  1. What is the sea urchin population size at the beginning of 2015?
  2. What is the sea urchin population size at the end of 2015?
  3. What is the birth rate?
  4. What is the death rate?
  5. What is the growth rate?
Urchin Population Growth

Using the population growth equation presented in lecture, calculate the predicted population size of the urchins over the course of 6 years. Round your population sizes at the end of each year to the nearest whole number.

**Hint! Does your population size reported below at the end of 2015 match up to the population size you calculated in #2 above? If not, you did something wrong!**

End of Year:

Population Size

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Is this population growth likely?  Why? (Keep in mind that an adult sea urchin is approximately the size of a softball, and 100 square meters is approximately the size of a two bedroom apartment.)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SDMdG-H4EoMN8TG3xnJ80zgptAJC9gQlikAaa2U0i9U/edit

Be sure to do the following before you submit your Lab Report:

  1. Review the grading criteria below to fully understand expectations for this assignment.
  2. Convert your file to the correct file format.
    The only types of files accepted for upload are Word docs (.doc or .docx), PDFs (.pdf), Rich Text Files (.rtf) and images (.jpeg or .png)

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