ZO653 : Population Ecology

Department

Department of Zoology

Academic Program

Master in Marine Sciences

Type

General

Credits

03

Prerequisite

Overview

Principles of Population Ecology, Population Dynamics, Population Regulation, Factors That Affect Future Population Growth. Patterns of dispersion. The global human population, human population growth. demographic processes. age structure, age distribution of the world’s population,fertility rate, infant mortality and life expectancy. population growth models..

Intended learning outcomes

1 To familiarize the student with everything related to the group environment

2 Identify the factors that limit the rate of population growth and affect the future of groups

3 Knowing the age structure and identifying population growth models for many societies

4 Know the environmental effects resulting from the increase in population, especially in crowded areas

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures

Preparing research and presenting presentations

The use of modern scientific papers and the use of technology and its employment in serving the course

Field visits

Methods of assessments

Evaluation methods:

Valuation Methods Valuation Date Percentage Notes

1 semester business exam. 8th week 20%

2 Analysis and discussion of scientific papers during the semester 5%

3 Presentation of research and presentations for an hour every week starting from the middle of the semester 15%

4 Field study Four field visits

Visit after every three weeks of study 10%

5 Final exam at the end of the semester 50%

Total 100%

7- Evaluation table:

Valuation number Valuation method Date

The first evaluation is a written midterm exam, the eighth week

The second assessment is the discussion of scientific papers (oral) at the end of the lectures during the semester

The third evaluation Presentation of research and presentations starting from the middle of the semester / hour every week

Fourth Evaluation Evaluation of field visit reports after each scientific visit

The fifth assessment is a final comprehensive exam at the end of the semester

References

1

Vandermeer, J. H. and Goldberg, D. E. (2003). Population Ecology: First Principles. Princeton University Press.

2

Gurney, W. S. C. and Nisbet, R. M. (1998). Ecological Dynamics. Oxford.

3

Botkin, D. B. and Keller, E.A. (2011). Environmental Science Earth as Living Planet 8th edition. JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.

Course content

Subject

Houre

Lecture

Field

Independent study

NO of week

1

Principles of Population Ecology.

12

2

3

7

1

2

Properties of populations.

Population Dynamics.

12

2

3

7

1

3

Factors That Affect Future Population Growth.

12

2

3

7

1

4

How Are Populations Measured?

12

2

3

7

1

5

Population Regulation;

* Density,

- Density Independent factors.

- Density Dependent factors

* Dispersion,

- Patterns of Dispersion; clumped dispersion, uniform dispersion, random dispersion.

24

4

6

14

2

6

· Human Population,

· Humans are Recent Arrivals,

· The Global Human Population.

12

2

3

7

1

7

Human Population Growth,

Survivorship Curve

12

2

3

7

1

8

· Demography, demographic Processes

· Age Structure and Human Population

· Age Distribution of the World’s Population,

· population pyramids.

12

2

3

7

1

9

· Fertility Rate, ,

· Infant Mortality and Life Expectancy.

· Population Growth Models,

- Exponential model, J shaped curve, Exponential growth formula

· Logistics Model, Logistic Growth Equation,

24

4

6

14

2

10

· A life table, Constructing a Life Table,

· Carrying Capacity (k), Global Carrying Capacity

· Mortality Patterns,

12

2

3

7

1

11

· Survivorship Curves, types of Survivorship Curves,

· Factors Limiting Growth Rate

12

2

3

7

1

12

· Metapopulation dynamics.

12

2

3

7

1