Chapter 4.1, Problem 6MI

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The reason behind population being limited in their spatial distribution.

Introduction:

Populations of species are described by density, spatial distribution and growth rate. There are some limiting factors also that keep population from growing indefinitely. Populations tend to be distributed randomly, uniformly or in clumps. They tend to stabilize near the carrying capacity of their environment.

Answer to Problem 6MI

A species cannot expandinto new territories until and unless it adapts itself to the biotic and abiotic factors there.

Explanation of Solution

One important characteristic of a population is its spatial distribution- the pattern of spacing of a population within an area. There are three main types of dispersion pattern; uniform, random and clumped.

One important primary factor in the pattern of dispersion for all organisms is the availability of resources such as food. The limiting factors for spatial distribution are either density- independent factors or density- dependent factors. Density- independent factors are abiotic and include natural phenomena such as weather events. These include flooding, extreme heat or cold, tornadoes and hurricanes. Density- dependent factors are often biotic such as predation, disease, parasites and competition.

For a species to spread to new areas it must adapt itself to the biotic as well as abiotic factors present in that particular area.