APES Unit 3

What makes specialists vulnerable in their environment?

Smaller range of tolerance or a narrower ecological niche.

What type of food requirements do specialists have?

Specific food requirements.

How do generalists differ from specialists in terms of ecological niche?

Generalists have a larger range of tolerance and a broader ecological niche.

What are K-selected species focused on in terms of reproduction?

Quality over quantity.

How many offspring do K-selected species typically produce?

Few offspring with lots of parental care.

What is an example of K-selected species?

Most mammals and birds.

What does biotic potential refer to?

The maximum rate a population can grow.

What is the reproduction strategy of R-selected species?

Quantity over quality.

What is the typical reproductive strategy of R-selected species?

Produce many offspring with little to no care.

What is an example of R-selected species?

Insects, fish, and plants.

What constitutes an invasive species?

Species not native to an area, introduced often by human transport.

What allows invasive species to thrive in non-native habitats?

No natural predators to control their population.

What factors make r-selected species more likely to be invasive?

High adaptability and broad food requirements.

What happens to K-selected species in high competition areas?

They are vulnerable to overcompetition with invasive species.

What is the carrying capacity (K) of an ecosystem?

The maximum number of individuals a population that an ecosystem can support.

What does overshoot refer to in population dynamics?

When a population briefly exceeds carrying capacity.

What is the consequence of overshoot on resources?

Resource depletion.

What follows resource depletion due to overshoot?

Die-off, a sharp decrease in population size.

Example of overshoot consequence in deer populations?

Overgrazing and starvation during high fawn births in spring.

What did the introduction of reindeer to St. Paul Island demonstrate?

Growth followed by a sharp die-off due to overshooting carrying capacity.

What results from predator-prey dynamics?

Cycles of population increase and decrease (die-off).

What does population size (N) represent?

Total number of individuals in a given area at a given time.

How is population density calculated?

Number of individuals per area.

What are the three types of population distribution?

Random, uniform, and clumped.

How does food serve as a density-dependent factor?

It's a limiting resource that influences growth based on population size.

What types of factors are density-independent?

Natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes.

What do survivorship curves illustrate?

Survival rates of a cohort from birth to death.

What characterizes a Type I survivorship curve?

High survivorship early in life with rapid decrease in late life.

What is a key characteristic of Type III survivorship curves?

High mortality early in life due to little parental care.

What age cohorts indicate potential population growth?

0-14: Pre-reproductive, 15-44: Reproductive.

What does a larger 0-14 cohort indicate?

Current and future population growth.

What is Total Fertility Rate (TFR)?

Average number of children a woman will bear throughout her lifetime.

What TFR is necessary for replacement level fertility?

About 2.1 in developed countries.

What is the relationship between infant mortality rate (IMR) and TFR?

Higher IMR leads to higher TFR due to families having replacement children.

What factors affect TFR in developed countries?

Economic opportunity for women, education access, and family planning education.

What role does government policy play in TFR?

It can encourage or discourage fertility through various measures.

What characterizes Stage 1 of the demographic transition model?

High birth and death rates, little growth.

In which stage do death rates begin to decline significantly?

Stage 2: Industrializing/ Developing.

What defines Stage 3 of the demographic transition?

Declining birth rates and slowing growth due to increased education.

What features characterize Stage 4 of the demographic transition model?

Very low birth rates and potential negative growth.

What major thesis did the Malthusian Theory present?

Earth has a human carrying capacity, limited by food production.

How can technological advancements alter Earth's carrying capacity?

By improving food production capabilities.

What does the growth rate (r) indicate?

The percentage increase in a population usually per year.

How is growth rate calculated using CBR and CDR?

(CBR - CDR) / population size * 100.

What is the Rule of 70 used for?

To estimate the time it takes for a population to double.

How can high standards of living affect population growth?

By decreasing population growth rates due to improved health and education.

What does per capita GDP indicate regarding living standards?

The total GDP divided by the total population.

What is the impact of average life expectancy on standard of living?

Higher life expectancy is associated with better access to health care and resources.

How does increased access to education affect TFR?

It generally leads to fewer unplanned pregnancies and lower TFR.

What is the impact of delayed age of first child on population growth?

It typically decreases the TFR.

How does land use and utilization relate to population size?

Increased population may lead to higher competition for space and resources.

What can contribute to a sharp decline in equilibrium stock of a species?

Overpopulation or environmental changes.

How do social factors influence population dynamics?

Through policies, education, and healthcare access.

What indicates the economic and social transition from agrarian to industrialized society?

Industrialization.

What are factors that can lead to population decline?

High death rates and low birth rates.

How does urbanization relate to population growth?

It often leads to higher fertility rates due to economic opportunities.

What effect does the introduction of new species have on existing ecosystems?

It can disrupt local balances and lead to declines in native populations.

What role does education play in demographic transitions?

Increases women's opportunities and decreases TFR.

What demographic indicators are crucial for understanding population changes?

Birth rates, death rates, and economic factors.

In what demographic stage are birth rates at replacement levels?

Stage 3 and 4 of demographic transition.

What are potential outcomes of unchecked human population growth?

Resource depletion and environmental scarcity.

How do innovations in agriculture influence population dynamics?

They can increase food production and support larger populations.

What effects do family planning programs have on TFR?

They typically reduce TFR through education and access to contraceptives.

What signifies a developed country in terms of demographic transition?

Low death rates, low birth rates, and high GDP.

How does societal affluence relate to TFR?

Greater affluence often leads to lower TFR.

What is the significance of understanding the life cycle and reproductive strategies of species?

It helps predict population dynamics and environmental impact.

What common trait do generalist species share?

High adaptability and diverse food needs.

How does increasing educational access for women impact family size?

It usually leads to smaller family sizes.

What demographic transition stage exemplifies minimal population growth?

Stage 4: Post-Industrialized.

What ecological role do r-selected species tend to play?

They can rapidly colonize and exploit new habitats effectively.

What influences a population's density-dependent growth factors?

Availability of resources like food and habitat.

What is the overall impact of invasive species on local ecosystems?

They can outcompete and harm native species and disrupt ecological balances.

How do carrying capacities influence ecosystem stability?

They limit population sizes to sustainable levels based on resources.

What role does competition play in the dynamics of predator-prey relationships?

It regulates population sizes and helps maintain ecological balances.