British Columbia CORE Hunting Practice Exam

Which concept involves changes in the structure and composition of populations over time?

1. Population genetics

2. Population dynamics

3. Ecosystem resilience

4. Species interaction

The correct answer is: Population dynamics

Population dynamics is the concept that involves changes in the structure and composition of populations over time. It encompasses various factors that influence population size, density, distribution, and demographic traits, including birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration. This dynamic interaction helps ecologists understand how populations evolve and change in response to environmental factors and interactions with other species. Tracking population dynamics is essential for wildlife management and conservation efforts, as it provides insights into the health and stability of populations. By studying these patterns, managers can make informed decisions about population control, habitat preservation, and other conservation strategies. Population genetics focuses specifically on the genetic composition of populations and how it changes due to processes like mutation, selection, and genetic drift. Ecosystem resilience pertains to the ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances, while species interaction deals with the relationships and effects species have on each other, such as competition and predation. While all these concepts are important to ecology, they do not specifically address the structural and compositional changes of populations over time in the same holistic manner as population dynamics does.