apes unit 3 human populations

What is a specialist species?

A species with a narrow ecological niche, specific food requirements, low adaptability, and high extinction risk.

What is a generalist species?

A species with a broad ecological niche, varied food requirements, high adaptability, and low extinction risk.

What is a niche?

The role of a species in its ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions.

What is range of tolerance?

The range of environmental conditions a species can endure, such as temperature or pH.

Why are generalist species more likely to be invasive?

Because they can adapt to a wide range of conditions and outcompete native species.

What are the advantages of being a specialist species?

Less competition in stable environments.

What are the disadvantages of being a specialist species?

High vulnerability to habitat changes or resource loss.

What are the advantages of being a generalist species?

Ability to survive in diverse habitats and use varied resources.

What are the disadvantages of being a generalist species?

More competition in stable, resource-rich environments.

What are K-selected species?

Species that produce few offspring with high parental care, have long lifespans, and are sensitive to environmental changes.

What are r-selected species?

Species that produce many offspring with little parental care, have short lifespans, and thrive in changing environments.

How do K-selected and r-selected species differ in population growth?

K-selected species reach maturity slowly; r-selected species reach maturity rapidly.

Which species are more vulnerable to environmental disruption?

K-selected species.

Which species are more likely to be invasive?

r-selected species.

What does “biotic potential” mean?

The maximum reproductive rate of a species under ideal conditions.

What is a survivorship curve?

A graph showing the number of individuals surviving at each age for a given species or group.

Describe a Type I survivorship curve.

High survival in early/midlife, followed by a steep decline in later life; seen in K-selected species.

Give an example of a Type I species.

Humans, elephants, whales.

Describe a Type II survivorship curve.

Constant mortality rate at all ages; moderate parental care.

Give an example of a Type II species.

Birds, rodents, some reptiles.

Describe a Type III survivorship curve.

High mortality in early life, few survive to adulthood; seen in r-selected species.

Give an example of a Type III species.

Fish, insects, many plants.

What is carrying capacity?

The maximum population size an environment can support indefinitely.

What causes population fluctuations around carrying capacity?

Predator-prey dynamics and reproductive cycles.

What is population overshoot?

When a population exceeds the carrying capacity, depleting resources.

What is a die-off?

A sudden population decline due to resource depletion after an overshoot.

How can humans alter carrying capacity?

Increase it through technology (e.g., agriculture) or decrease it via pollution.

What are the characteristics of a large population?

More resilient to extinction due to greater genetic diversity and numbers.

What happens at high population density?

Increased competition, disease transmission, and resource depletion.

What are the three population distributions?

Random, uniform, and clumped.

What is the ideal sex ratio for breeding?

1:1 (50:50 male to female).

What is a density-dependent factor?

A limiting factor that depends on population size, like competition or disease.

What is a density-independent factor?

A factor that affects population regardless of size, like natural disasters.

What is exponential growth?

Rapid population increase without limiting factors.

What is logistic growth?

Population growth that levels off at carrying capacity due to limiting factors.

What is the population equation?

Births + Immigration - (Deaths + Emigration).

What is an age structure diagram?

A visual of population distribution by age and sex.

What shape indicates rapid growth in an age structure diagram?

An extreme pyramid with a wide base.

What shape indicates stable population growth?

A house shape with even age distribution.

What shape indicates population decline?

A narrow base or inverted pyramid.

What is Total Fertility Rate (TFR)?

The average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime.

What is replacement-level fertility?

The TFR needed to keep a population stable (~2.1 in developed countries).

Why is TFR higher in developing countries?

Due to high infant mortality and low access to healthcare.

What is Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)?

The number of deaths of infants under 1 year per 1,000 live births.

What factors decrease IMR?

Vaccination, clean water, healthcare, and food supply.

How does IMR relate to TFR?

Higher IMR leads to higher TFR as families have more "replacement" children.

How does affluence affect TFR?

Higher affluence leads to lower TFR due to education, family planning, and better healthcare.

How do government policies affect TFR?

Policies can increase or decrease TFR (e.g., China's 1-child policy).

What factors contribute to lower TFR?

Women's education, access to contraception, delayed childbirth.

What is the Malthusian theory?

Population grows faster than resources, leading to famine, disease, and conflict.

What is a limitation of the Malthusian theory?

It does not account for technology improving food production.

What is Crude Birth Rate (CBR)?

Number of births per 1,000 people per year.

What is Crude Death Rate (CDR)?

Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.

What is population growth rate?

(CBR - CDR) / 10.

What is the Rule of 70?

Used to estimate population doubling time: 70 / growth rate (%).

What is GDP per capita?

GDP divided by population, indicating economic standard of living.

What is life expectancy?

The average lifespan, indicating health and development.

What is the demographic transition model?

A model that shows population change as a country industrializes.

What happens in Stage 1 (Pre-Industrial)?

High CBR and CDR, low life expectancy, no population growth.

What happens in Stage 2 (Developing)?

High CBR, declining CDR, rapid population growth.

What happens in Stage 3 (Industrialized)?

Declining CBR, low CDR, slowing population growth.

What happens in Stage 4 (Post-Industrial)?

Very low CBR and CDR, population decline.

What drives demographic transition?

Economic development, healthcare, education, and women's rights.