Animal Population

the historically developed totality of individuals of one or more animal species in some land area or body of water. In contrast to the concept of fauna, an animal population is characterized not only by the species composition but also by the number of individuals. The animal population of a species, functional biocenotic groups (saprophagans, predators, parasites, and so forth), and the entire animal population as a whole are distinguished. Depending on their objectives, scientists often examine the animal population of individual taxa (for example, darkling beetles, fish, birds), ecological communities (benthos, inhabitants of tree crowns and soil, waterfowl), plant pests, and so forth. The concept of animal population is used to study animal migrations and animal population dynamics, elucidate the roles of animals in biocenoses, and work out scientific forecasts for the fishing industry, agriculture, forestry, hunting, and public health.