Population Dynamics Houston Zoo

1. Population DynamicsHouston Zoo Home School Web Activity March 2012

2. What is Population Dynamics? • The study of changes in a population(s) within an ecosystem

3. Let’s break it down… • In order to understand populations within an ecosystem, we need to first understand how an ecosystem is organized!

4. Ecosystem • What is an ecosystem? • The interactions and relationships between biotic factors (living things) and abiotic factors (non-living things) within a location (forest, pond, city, cave, etc.) • These biotic and abiotic factors form a functioning unit • The two major forces that link all the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem are: • The flow of energy through an ecosystem • Cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem

5. Organization of Ecosystems • Living organisms are in groups ranging from specific to broad : • Individuals • Population • Community • Ecosystem

6. Individual • Biotic; one living thing (cat, oak tree, human, etc.)

7. Population • Biotic; a group of individuals of the same species who inhabit a location (i.e. a pride of lions in a wildlife preserve, packs of wolves who live in Yellowstone, etc.)

8. Community • Biotic; a group of different populations (of different species) who inhabit a location (i.e. wolves, bison, deer, and bear within Yellowstone) *Photos courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

9. Ecosystem • Biotic and abiotic; the interaction between the community and the abiotic factors within a certain location (i.e. fish, rays and sea turtles interacting with rocks, water and sand within a coral reef) *Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

10. Individual ↓Population ↓Community↓Ecosystem

11. Changing the population dynamics Imagine yourself in Yellowstone National Park… • What would happen if you removed all of the predator species (mountain lions, bears, wolves)? • What would happen if you removed all of the prey species (deer, moose, rabbits)? • If the balance of predators or prey (or both) is disturbed in an ecosystem, the ecosystem becomes unhealthy. • What can affect ecosystem imbalance? • Natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, mud slides, etc.) • Human interaction • Natural resource depletion

12. Maintaining Ecosystem Balance • Conservationists work to maintain ecosystem balance, and they can do it in several ways: • Studying/researching declining animal populations • Studying/researching declining plant populations • Natural resource management • Natural disaster recovery efforts • Educating people who live near animal populations about those species’ and the importance and benefits of biodiversity • Working alongside communities where endangered species live to improve their standard of living • Successful conservationists don’t just work with one animal. To be successful, they must consider all aspects of an ecosystem (both biotic and abiotic) to save endangered animals, plants, or both.