Question

1. Define the term “population” in ecology:

2. In this assignment we will be discussing the species of honey bees; come up with an example of a honey bee population (Make sure to use the ecological meaning of the term “population:”

3. Do you think honey bees are K-selected or r-selected species? Explain.

4. Honey bees are keystone species. Define the term “keystone species” and explain why it applies to honey bees:

Answer 1

Solution:

# Population: A population is defined as a group of individuals of a particular species occupying a particular area at a specific time.

# The r/K scale has been widely used for classifying reproductive strategies. An r-strategy is the strategy of an animal which which breed fast produces numerous small offspring, but does not care for its offspring. A K- strategy involves late breeding, the production of few big young, and a diligent care for the sparse offspring.

The honeybee is highly unusual in its form of reproduction. Queen honeybees are are responsible for the laying of eggs and they can lay up 1,500 a day. The eggs are then nurtured by worker honeybees which provide sustenance for the developing larvae. In this way honeybees can be classified as both r and K selection, as they produce extremely large amounts of offspring but also take care of the offspring, even if it is not the mother directly responsible for the care.

# Honeybees are keystone species in their environment. A Keystone species is a species that has a disproportionate role in an ecosystem relative to its size in that ecosystem. The removal of keystone species will create a ripple effect across the system that could destabilize the entire ecosystem. If keystone species is removed, the ecosystem or biodiversity will collapse.

Let's consider the effect that the removal of the honeybee may have on an ecosystem. We all know that honeybees are involved in process of pollination which is one of the primary ways plants reproduce. Honeybees are responsible for the movement of pollen from one flower to another as they gather nectar. Honeybees also exchange pollen with another honeybees back at the hive as they bump into each other. Pollen that exchanged in the hive often comes from completely different plants. As the bees then return to the foraging area, they distribute this pollen, which can lead to the process of cross pollination. Cross pollination helps to maintain the genetic diversity of the plant communities in the ecosystem. In ecology, we refer to this concept as biodiversity. Biodiversity is a key measurement of overall ecosystem health. In other words, healthy ecosystem will have many different species and high level of genetic diversity. The honeybee is not only responsible for assisting in the process of plant reproduction but also helps to maintain and even increase the genetic diversity of their ecosystem. Honeybees are directly connected to pollination and cross pollination. But they are also indirectly connected to many other species in their ecosystem.