APES Unit 3

Specialists

Organisms with a smaller range of tolerance and narrower ecological niche, making them more prone to extinction.

Generalists

Organisms with a larger range of tolerance and broader niche, making them less prone to extinction and more likely to be invasive.

K-selected species

Species that exhibit high parental care, fewer reproductive events, and longer lifespans.

R-selected species

Species that produce many offspring with little to no parental care, typically have shorter lifespans.

Survivorship curve

A graph that shows the survival rate of a cohort from birth to death.

Density-dependent factor

Factors influencing survival and reproduction based on population size.

Density-independent factor

Factors affecting survival and reproduction regardless of population size.

Intrinsic growth rate (r)

The maximum potential growth of a population under ideal conditions.

Malthusian theory

The hypothesis that human population growth will outpace food production, leading to resource limitations.

Total fertility rate (TFR)

The average number of children a woman is expected to bear during her lifetime.

Replacement level fertility

The TFR required to maintain a population size, typically around 2.1 in developed countries.

Crude birth rate (CBR)

The number of live births per 1000 people in a population.

Crude death rate (CDR)

The number of deaths per 1000 people in a population.

Infant mortality rate (IMR)

The number of deaths of children under one year per 1000 live births.

Population density

The number of individuals per unit area at a given time.

Community ecology

The study of interactions among species within a community.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems, where life exists on Earth.

Population growth rate

The rate at which a population increases, considering births and deaths.

Exponential growth model

A model estimating a population's future size based on the number of reproducing individuals.

J-shaped curve

The graph shape representing rapid population growth under ideal conditions.

Mark and Recapture

A method used to estimate wildlife populations by capturing, marking, and releasing individuals.

Access to healthcare

The availability of medical services and resources that reduce infant mortality and improve populations' health.

Access to clean water

Availability of safe drinking water, crucial for reducing infant mortality and improving health.