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ENVS803: Lincoln-Petersen Model- Ecology- Environmental Management Assignment

Task:

1. What is ecology? Give two examples of modern applied ecology

2. A number of threatened and endangered species are reported to have K-selected life history traits. What does this mean?

3. What does MVP refer to and why is it an important consideration in environmental management? How can MVP be estimated?

4. You are undertaking a mark recapture study on fur seals using the Lincoln-Petersen model for closed populations (K=2). On your first survey you capture and mark 460 seals. To mark the seals you place a small plastic cattle tag in the loose skin at the base of their front flippers. A week later you undertake a second survey in the same geographic area and count 384 seals. With field glasses you note that of these 384 seals, 120 individuals have a flipper tag.
a) How big is the estimated population size for seals in the area?
b) One assumption of the Lincoln-Petersen model is that the population is closed. What does it mean for a population to be closed?
c) Most natural populations are not closed, how can we simulate a closed population?

5. What does the carrying capacity (K) of a population refer to? Provide an example of how knowledge of carrying capacity (K) could be employed in environmental management .

6. Explain what a ‘Keystone species’ is and why they are important to an ecosystem. (150 words maximum)

7. You are planning a national park in an area and are responsible for making a decision about its shape. In a meeting two suggestions are given:
a) to create a national park in a square shape
b) to create a national park in a star shape
Which geographic shape would you choose for the new national park and why?