FIGURE 18.2 Population distributions. Populations in nature distribute themselves in three ways. (a) Many of the tree species in this New England forest are randomly distributed, with no apparent pattern in the locations of individuals. (b) Territorial nesting birds, such as these Australasian gannets (Morus serrator), exhibit a uniform distribution, in which all individuals maintain a similar distance from one another. (c) Many pairs of eyes are better than one at detecting approaching predators. The clumped distribution of these meerkats (Suricata suricatta) provides them with extra protection.
(a: David R. Frazier Photolibrary, Inc./Science Source; b: Michael Thompson/Earth Scenes/Animals Animals; c: Clem Haagner/ARDEA)