Questions and Answers
What is species diversity?
What is the 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?
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Define commensalism.
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What is mutualism?
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What is parasitism?
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What is coevolution?
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What is carrying capacity in logistic growth?
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What is the bottleneck effect?
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What do R-selected species do?
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What do K-selected species do?
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What are the two levels of succession?
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What is the theory of island biogeography?
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Define invasive species.
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What was the aim of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (1975)?
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The US Endangered Species Act (1973) makes it illegal to harm species on the endangered or threatened list.
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What are threatened species?
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What are endangered species?
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What is intrinsic value?
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What is the precautionary principle?
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What is resource partitioning?
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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!