Chapter 14 Population Ecology • MHR 501were transported to the province in 1904. They
spread over the entire island relatively quickly
and the current moose population is 120 000
to 150 000 individuals, the densest in North
America. The population is this large even
though a moose hunt was started in 1930 and
some estimates suggest that more than 180 000
moose have been taken legally by hunters since- Do research to investigate the biology of
the moose, the environment it encounters
today, and the past environment to explain
why this species has been so successful.
21.Do research to compare the life histories of
timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) and
massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistruruscatenatus).
Alternatively, choose two Ontario mammals
that interest you to compare. Which species is
more K-selected? What is the status of each of
these species in Ontario? That is, is either one
threatened or endangered? How do you think
the life history of each species has affected its
ability to cope with environmental change?
22.You are part of a team that has been assigned to
study the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus),
which is endangered in Ontario. The overall
goal of the research is to prepare a recovery
plan for this species in the province. Select one
aspect that you would like to study and write a
research proposal detailing what you need to
know and how you plan to get the data.COMMUNICATING23.Make up a pamphlet, poster, or Powerpoint™
presentation that could be part of a public
education campaign designed to limit the spread
of zebra mussels. Explain why the biology of
this organism makes it such a problem.
24.Recently, scientists have discovered that the
presence of zebra mussels can be beneficial in
at least one way. Do research on the zebra
mussel to identify benefits that this species
might provide. Prepare a poster showing what
you have found and compare it with what you
prepared for question 23.
25.The population of trout in a certain small lake
has fluctuated around 2000 for the last 10 years.
The owner of a fishing resort on the lake wants
to increase the number of trout available for his
clients. He plans to stock the lake with 1000
more individuals of the same species. Explain
to him what you think will happen. Include a
graph in your answer.26.Prepare an essay describing what you think
was the cause of the decline of either the cod
population off the coast of Newfoundland or
the Pacific salmon population off the coast of
British Columbia. What do you think should
have been done to avoid this problem? If you
think it is possible to restore these populations,
suggest how it might be done. If you think it
is not possible, explain your reasoning.
27.Farmers and gardeners refer to many types of
plants as weeds and various species of insects
as pests. What features do weeds and pests
have in common? What is it about the typical
life histories of these species that make them
difficult to deal with? Why do you think they
share these life history features?
28.A resource manager has data on the number
of plants browsed by moose along a transect
through a particular area. She wants to convert
this measure of relative density to an estimate
of absolute density. What would she need to
know in order to do this?
29.Review the list of plant and animal species
that are at risk (threatened, endangered, or
otherwise at risk) in Ontario. Taking into
account concepts you have learned in this
chapter, do these species tend to have any
features in common? Are there features that
distinguish them from species that are not at
risk in the province? How might you use this
information to better manage or conserve
Ontario’s biological diversity?
30.Describe three examples of mutualism not
mentioned in this chapter. In any of these
cases, is one of the species at risk or is its
population size declining? If so, what do you
predict might happen to the other species in
the relationship?
31.Many species considered to be at risk
(threatened or endangered) in the world have
equilibrial life histories (that is, they are
K-selected). Give two reasons why such
species might be more at risk, explaining
your reasoning.MAKING CONNECTIONS