Essay on the Effects of Population Density and Noise on Individuals

Essay on the Effects of Population Density and Noise on Individuals The Effects of Population Density and Noise on Individuals May 16, 2019 in Ecology Introduction Population per unit volume or per unit area is population density. This measurement is mostly used on living organisms and normally on human beings. It is a geographical term. Population density can be classified into biological and human population densities. While biological population densities are given by total population divided by total volume or land area, human population densities are given by the total number of people per square mile or kilometer. Low biological density may lead to extinction vortex or even reduced fertility. This is the Allee effect, which leads to increased interbreeding as well as problems in location of sexual partners. On the other hand, noise can be said to be unwanted noise. Put differently, noise is unnecessary electromagnetic or electrical energy that degrades data and signal quality. It affects the communication in telemetry, images, audio, text and programs (Enger Smith, 2010). Body Territoriality is the inter-specific or intra-specific competition, which is a culmination of behavioral exclusion from others from a given area, which is largely seen as their area, and therefore, properly defended. This behavior is well defined and is demonstrated through intimidation, songs, calls, chase, attack and even marking, which is done with scent. This defense mechanism has over time proved very costly to these animals. This competition, be it intra-specific or inter-specific, is brought about by the desire to acquire and consequently protect their nesting sites, food sources, mating areas or even to simply catch the attention of a mate. This behavior therefore is fanned by reproductive successes and desire for survival. In defending their territory, these animals ensure that they are able to secure a habitat from where they can reproduce successfully and rummage for food. This bolsters their overall fitness. Increased territoriality leads to depletion of resources (Connel ly, 2008). Territoriality costs energy and time and at times inhibits other activities such as mating, courting, parenting and feeding. Thus, it does not benefit all animals. Where resources are plenty and predictable, there is no need for territoriality. Conversely, where resources are undependable and scarce, it is always advantageous to defend a territory. A sphere of influence is acquired by animals with an increased biological population density. Human beings in some places in the world traditionally sought to create boundaries whenever they occupied a new geographical area. These were concerted efforts to safeguard the available resources to guarantee their survival.