AP Environmental Science : Reproductive Patterns and Principles
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Example Question #271 : Ap Environmental Sciences
A scientist observed a population of leafhoppers at a research station in the Oak Openings region over the course of two years. She noticed that the only factor regulating the size of the leafhopper population was forest fires. Based on her observation, what ecological principle explains the growth rate of the leafhoppers?
Density independence
Island biogeography
Density dependence
Metapopulation theory
Density independence
The correct response is density independence. The leafhopper population was not regulated by density. The only thing that regulated the population was abiotic events, such as forest fires.
Example Question #272 : Ap Environmental Sciences
Nigeria is experiencing a fertility rate of roughly seven children per woman and a population structure where roughly forty percent of the population is under the age of fifteen. What would be the most accurate projection of the population in coming years?
Exponential population growth fueled by high fertility rates and a large proportion of the population reaching reproductive age.
The population will decline because not enough individuals are surviving to reach reproductive age (i.e. war and disease are the diminishing factors).
The population will remain constant, because high fertility rates paired with few people living to old age indicates a high fertility rate is needed to sustain the population.
The population will likely decline because the fact that the majority of the population are fifteen or younger indicates that something is killing the reproductive-age members of the population.
Cyclical fluctuations will occur in the population because they are typical of a population with high fertility and mortality rates.
Exponential population growth fueled by high fertility rates and a large proportion of the population reaching reproductive age.
In terms of population trends, Nigeria can expect to see exponential growth in the following years for two reasons: Fertility rates are already quite high (e.g. a stable population is at 
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