Questions and Answers
What are characteristics of specialist species?
Explain why generalist species are advantaged in habitats that change constantly.
Generalists can adapt to new areas with different food sources.
K-selected species have a high degree of __________.
parental care
List 5 characteristics of K-selected species.
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List 5 characteristics of r-selected species.
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Define biotic potential.
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Invasive species are generally r-selected.
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Explain why K-selected species are more negatively impacted by invasive species than r-selected species.
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Define the term age cohort.
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What is an example of a Type I survivorship curve?
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What is carrying capacity?
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Overshoot occurs when a population becomes __________ than the environment's carrying capacity.
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What is a consequence of overshoot?
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Define limiting resource.
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What does mortality refer to?
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Define fecundity.
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How do decreasing resources impact the carrying capacity for a given population?
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What is a sex ratio?
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What are density dependent factors?
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Define density independent factors.
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What is biotic potential?
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What is logistic growth?
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What does an age structure diagram represent?
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Explain the significance of the base of an age structure diagram.
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What is population momentum?
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What does a pyramid shape in an age structure diagram imply?
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Define TFR.
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What is replacement level fertility?
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Define the infant mortality rate (IMR).
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What factors affect TFR related to development?
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How can government policy affect TFR?
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What is the impact of female education on TFR?
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What is the definition of crude birth rate?
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Define crude death rate.
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What is Malthusian theory?
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How do technological advancements affect carrying capacity?
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List factors that increase population growth.
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List factors that decrease population growth.
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Define gross domestic product (GDP).
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What is industrialization?
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Define pre-industrialized/less developed.
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Describe industrializing/developing countries.
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What characterizes industrialized/developed countries?
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What is stage 1 of demographic transition?
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Describe stage 2 of demographic transition.
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What defines stage 3 of demographic transition?
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What characterizes stage 4 of demographic transition?
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Study Notes
Generalist and Specialist Species
- Specialists have a narrow ecological niche and specific food requirements, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
- Generalists possess a broader range of tolerance, allowing them to thrive in diverse habitats and adapt to changing conditions, often leading to invasive behaviors.
Adaptation in Changing Habitats
- Generalists adapt to various environments and food sources, while specialists excel in stable habitats with consistent food availability.
K-selected Species Characteristics
- K-selected species produce few offspring with significant parental investment; examples include most mammals and birds.
- They have a long lifespan and take a longer time to reach sexual maturity, resulting in a low biotic potential and slow population growth.
R-selected Species Characteristics
- R-selected species produce many offspring with little to no parental care; examples include insects and fish.
- They have a short lifespan and reach sexual maturity quickly, leading to high biotic potential and rapid population growth.
Biotic Potential Definition
- Biotic potential refers to the maximum ability of a population to increase in ideal environmental conditions, with K-selected species showcasing low biotic potential and r-selected species displaying high potential.
Invasive Species Selection
- Invasive species are generally r-selected due to their ability to reproduce quickly and produce numerous offspring.
Impact of Invasive Species on K-selected Species
- K-selected species, due to their low intrinsic growth rates, struggle to adapt when environmental conditions change, making them more susceptible to extinction from invasives.
Age Cohort Definition
- An age cohort consists of individuals born in the same generation.
Survivorship Curve Explanation
- The survivorship curve depicts survival rates from birth to death across age cohorts:
- Type I: High survivorship in early and mid-life, rapid decline in late life (e.g., most mammals).
- Type II: Steady decline throughout life.
- Type III: Low survivorship early in life with a gradual decrease for those that survive to adulthood (e.g., insects, fish).
Carrying Capacity Definition
- Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can support based on available resources.
Factors Determining Deer Carrying Capacity
- Reindeer introduction on St. Paul Island illustrates carrying capacity dynamics, showing growth followed by a population crash due to resource depletion.
Overshoot Definition
- Overshoot occurs when a population exceeds the environment's carrying capacity.
Die-off Definition
- A die-off is characterized by a rapid decline in population numbers due to increased mortality.
Consequence of Overshoot
- Resource depletion results from populations exceeding their carrying capacity.
Limiting Resource Definition
- Limiting resources are essential for a population's survival and are present in quantities insufficient for growth.
Mortality Definition
- Mortality simply refers to death rates within a population.
Fecundity Definition
- Fecundity represents fertility or the capacity for reproduction in a population.
Resource Impact on Carrying Capacity
- Decreasing resources result in a lower carrying capacity for any given population.
Sex Ratio Definition
- The sex ratio is the proportion of males to females within a population, affecting breeding success.
Density-Dependent Factors
- Factors that influence population growth based on size, including food availability and competition.
Density-Independent Factors
- Factors that affect population growth regardless of size, such as natural disasters.
Biotic Potential Overview
- Biotic potential reflects the maximum growth rate of a species in the absence of limiting resources.
Logistic Growth Definition
- Logistic growth describes a pattern where initial rapid growth is followed by a slowdown due to limiting factors.
Age Structure Diagram Explanation
- Age structure diagrams visually represent the distribution of individuals in specific age groups, crucial for understanding population dynamics.
Significance of Age Cohorts in Demography
- The base of an age structure diagram (0-14 age cohort) indicates future growth potential and overall population health.
Population Momentum Definition
- Population momentum refers to continued population growth despite measures to reduce fertility rates.
Pyramid Shape in Age Structure
- Pyramid shapes in age structure diagrams indicate growth rates; extreme pyramids signify rapid growth, while narrow bases suggest population decline.
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
- TFR measures the average number of children a woman will have in her lifetime; higher TFR indicates higher birth rates.
Replacement Level Fertility
- Replacement level fertility (about 2.1 in developed countries) is the TFR needed to maintain stable population sizes.
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
- IMR is the number of deaths among children under one year per 1,000 live births; higher rates are often seen in less developed countries.
Developmental Factors Affecting TFR
- Higher affluence and development lead to lower TFR due to increased education, job opportunities, and access to family planning.
Government Policies’ Impact on TFR
- Government interventions can significantly influence fertility via coercive or non-coercive policies.
Education’s Role in TFR
- Higher educational attainment for women correlates with decreased TFR due to better job opportunities and family planning access.
Crude Birth Rate
- The crude birth rate is the number of live births per year for every 1,000 people in a population.
Crude Death Rate
- The crude death rate is the number of deaths per year per 1,000 people in a population.
Malthusian Theory Overview
- Malthusian theory posits a limit to human population growth based on food production capabilities.
Technological Advancements in Population Growth
- Advances in technology can increase Earth's carrying capacity, exemplified by synthetic fertilizers enhancing food production.
Factors that Increase Population Growth
- Higher TFR, high immigration, and improved healthcare access contribute to increased population growth.
Factors that Decrease Population Growth
- High death rates, improved education, and delayed childbirth reduce population growth rates.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced within a nation.
Industrialization Definition
- Industrialization transitions economies from agrarian to manufacturing-focused, impacting societal structures.
Economic Stages of Development
- Pre-industrialized: High death and infant mortality rates, low GDP.
- Industrializing: Declining death rates, rising GDP.
- Industrialized: Very low death rates and high GDP.
- Post-industrialized: Wealthy, low TFR, and higher contraceptive use rates, often leading to negative population growth.
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Description
Explore the differences between generalist and specialist species, including their adaptations in changing habitats. This quiz also covers K-selected and R-selected species characteristics, highlighting reproductive strategies and parental investment. Test your knowledge on ecological principles and species survival strategies.