APES 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is species diversity?

The total biomass of a community

The number of individuals in a community

The variety of different kinds of organisms that make up the community (correct)

The number of different species in a community

What is the difference between generalist and specialist species?

Generalists have a narrow ecological niche, while specialists have a broad ecological niche.

Generalists can live in many different places, while specialists can only live in one type of habitat. (correct)

Specialists eat a variety of foods, while generalists eat only a few types of food.

There is no difference between generalist and specialist species.

What is a keystone species?

A species that has a large effect on the success of other species in their community.

What is an example of an indicator species?

Bats or stonefly larvae. Signup and view all the answers

Define commensalism.

A type of symbiosis in which one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Signup and view all the answers

What is mutualism?

The relationship between two different species that are interdependent. Signup and view all the answers

What is parasitism?

The relationship between two organisms where one benefits at the expense of the other. Signup and view all the answers

What is coevolution?

The process by which two species evolve and affect each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is carrying capacity in logistic growth?

The maximum population size that an area can sustain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the bottleneck effect?

A significant decrease in population size that reduces genetic diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What do R-selected species do?

They reproduce early in their lifespan and produce many small, short-lived offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What do K-selected species do?

They produce fewer but larger offspring and invest heavily in raising them. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two levels of succession?

Primary and Secondary Signup and view all the answers

What is the theory of island biogeography?

It describes how the number of species on an island is determined by immigration and extinction rates. Signup and view all the answers

Define invasive species.

Organisms that thrive in new territories free of their natural predators. Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1975)?

To ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of endangered species. Signup and view all the answers

The US Endangered Species Act (1973) makes it illegal to harm species on the endangered or threatened list.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are threatened species?

Species that could become endangered in the near future. Signup and view all the answers

What are endangered species?

Species whose numbers are so small that they are at risk of extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What is intrinsic value?

Value for its own sake Signup and view all the answers

What is the precautionary principle?

Acting to prevent serious environmental damage even without scientific proof. Signup and view all the answers

What is resource partitioning?

When competing species evolve different traits to utilize similar scarce resources. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Species Diversity

Refers to the variety of organisms in a community.
Comprises species richness (number of different species) and species evenness (abundance of individuals within each species).

Generalist vs Specialist Species

Generalists: Broad ecological niche, adaptable to diverse environments, varied diets, and tolerant to wide environmental conditions.
Specialists: Narrow niche, limited habitats, specific dietary needs, and narrow tolerances for environmental conditions.

Keystone vs Foundation Species

Keystone species: Significant impact on community stability (e.g., pollinators, top predators).
Foundation species: Create and enhance habitats and ecological niches.

Indicator Species

Organisms that reflect environmental health; sensitive to habitat changes.
Examples include bats (sensitive to environmental shifts) and stonefly larvae (indicative of clean water).

Types of Symbiosis

Commensalism: One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
Mutualism: Interdependent relationship where both species benefit.
Parasitism: One organism benefits at the expense of another, causing damage (usually not fatal).

Coevolution

A process where two species exert influence on each other’s evolution, e.g., plants evolving toxins to deter herbivores.

Carrying Capacity and Logistic Growth

Population growth initially rapid and exponential, later limited by environmental resistance.
Population size fluctuates around carrying capacity, depicted as an S-shaped growth curve.

Bottleneck vs Founder Effect

Bottleneck effect: Genetic diversity reduction due to a dramatic decrease in population size (e.g., cheetahs).
Founder effect: New population established by a small number of individuals with a limited gene pool.

R-selected vs K-selected Species

R-selected species: Early reproduction, many offspring, typically small and short-lived (e.g., insects).
K-selected species: Fewer offspring, larger size, considerable parental investment (e.g., humans).

Levels of Succession

Primary succession: Gradual development on lifeless substrates.
Secondary succession: Recovery and establishment of biotic communities following disturbances where some community structure remains.

Theory of Island Biogeography

Species diversity on islands depends on the balance between immigration rates of new species and extinction rates of established species, reaching an equilibrium.

Invasive Species

Thrive in new environments with fewer natural predators, leading to ecological imbalance.

International Treaties

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1975): Protects over 33,000 species from unsustainable trade.
US Endangered Species Act (1973): Prohibits harm to endangered/threatened species and has aided the recovery of several species.

Threatened and Endangered Species

Threatened species: Likely to become endangered soon.
Endangered species: At risk of extinction due to critically low population levels.

Value of Biodiversity

Intrinsic value: Worth attributed for its own existence.
Instrumental value: Worth derived from usefulness to humans, such as economic benefits.

Precautionary Principle

Advocates for proactive measures against environmental threats, prioritizing action over waiting for conclusive scientific evidence.

Resource Partitioning

Competing species evolve distinct traits to exploit different resources, reducing competition and promoting coexistence.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards focused on species diversity and the differences between generalist and specialist species. This quiz is designed to help you understand key ecological concepts crucial for AP Environmental Science. Perfect for exam preparation!