generalist vs. specialist

Generalist Species

Species that thrive in various environments.

Specialist Species

Species that thrive in specific environmental conditions.

Succession

Process of ecological change over time.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain.

Primary Succession

Ecological succession on newly exposed surfaces.

Old-fields

Abandoned agricultural fields now supporting diverse species.

Goldenrods

Plants that dominate open, disturbed soils.

Leaf Beetle

Insect specializing in feeding on goldenrods.

Population Outbreaks

Sudden increase in population size of a species.

White Pine

Fast-growing tree species adaptable to various conditions.

Stone Walls

Remnants of past agricultural land use.

Human Migration

Movement of people affecting local ecosystems.

Ecosystem Resilience

Ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.

Species Composition

Variety and abundance of species in an area.

Predator-Prey Dynamics

Interactions affecting population sizes of species.

Herbivorous Insects

Insects that feed on plant material.

Demographic Transition

Shift in population growth patterns over time.

Resource Availability

Access to necessary resources for survival.

Temperate Seasonal Forest

Forest characterized by distinct seasonal changes.

Deforestation

Clearing of forests for agriculture or development.

Keystone Species

Species that significantly impacts ecosystem structure.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in a particular habitat.

Plant Competition

Struggle among plants for resources like sunlight.

Human Impact

Effects of human activity on ecosystems.

Forest Understory

Layer of vegetation beneath the forest canopy.

Population Dynamics

Changes in population size and composition over time.

Ecological Communities

Groups of interacting species in a shared environment.

Population Growth

Change in population size over time.

Age Structure Diagrams

Visual representation of age distribution in populations.

Human Demographics

Statistical study of human populations.

K-selected Species

Species with low growth rates and high parental care.

r-selected Species

Species with high growth rates and low parental care.

Survivorship Curves

Graphs showing survival likelihood over an organism's life.

Ecological Tolerance

Range of conditions for organism survival.

Niche Generalists

Species with broad habitat and resource adaptability.

Niche Specialists

Species with narrow habitat and resource requirements.

Carrying Capacity (K)

Maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Biotic Potential

Maximum reproductive capacity under ideal conditions.

Population Growth Rate

Net increase of individuals in a population.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living environmental components affecting ecosystems.

Biotic Factors

Living components influencing species interactions.

Stickleback Fish

Example of temperature generalist species.

White Pine Tree

Forest succession generalist thriving in varied forests.

Environmental Change

Alterations in habitat affecting species survival.

Global Climate Change

Long-term shifts in climate patterns impacting ecosystems.

Population Size

Total number of individuals in a species.

Reproductive Strategies

Traits influencing how species reproduce and survive.

Stable Environments

Conditions that remain relatively constant over time.

Changing Environments

Conditions that fluctuate, impacting species success.

Species Abundance

Number of individuals of a species in a habitat.

Ecosystem Factors

Elements affecting species interactions and survival.

Carrying capacity (K)

Maximum population size an environment can support.

K-selected species

Species with low growth rates, stable populations.

Population growth rate

Offspring produced minus deaths in a time period.

Biotic potential

Maximum growth potential under ideal conditions.

r-selected species

Species with high growth rates, rapid population increase.

Overshoot

Population exceeds the environment's carrying capacity.

Dieback

Rapid population decline due to resource depletion.

Elephants

Example of K-selected species with slow growth.

Parental care

Investment in offspring survival and development.

High competition

Increased struggle for limited resources among species.

Invasive species

Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems.

K-selected traits

Long lifespan, few offspring, significant parental care.

r-selected traits

Short lifespan, many offspring, little parental care.

House mice

Example of r-selected species with rapid reproduction.

Survivorship curve

Graph showing survival patterns across ages.

Type I survivorship curve

High survival early, rapid decline in old age.

Population dynamics

Changes in population size and structure over time.

Density dependent

Population regulation influenced by population size.

Density independent

Population regulation not influenced by population size.

Generalist species

Species that can thrive in various environments.

Specialist species

Species adapted to specific environmental conditions.

K-selected examples

Elephants, large mammals, most birds.

r-selected examples

House mice, cockroaches, dandelions.

Population stability

K-selected species maintain stable populations near K.

Resource competition

Struggle for limited resources among organisms.

Long reproductive maturity

Time taken to reach reproductive age in K-selected.

Short reproductive maturity

Rapid attainment of reproductive age in r-selected.

Population fluctuations

Variations in population size over time.

Tuna and redwood trees

Species exhibiting traits of both K and r strategies.

Survivorship curves

Graphs showing survival patterns of species over time.

Type II survivorship curve

Constant decline in survival throughout life span.

Type III survivorship curve

Low survival early, high survival once adulthood reached.

Mosquitoes

Example of r-selected species with type III curve.

Chipmunks

Example of species with type II survivorship curve.

Parental support

Care provided by parents to offspring for survival.

Carrying capacity

Maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Population overshoot

Population exceeds carrying capacity, leading to dieback.

Life expectancy

Average duration of life for a species.

Clutch size

Number of offspring produced at one time.

Habitat loss

Reduction of natural environments affecting species survival.

Human activity

Actions by humans impacting species and ecosystems.

Tadpole stage

Early life stage of frogs with high mortality.

Raptors

Birds of prey that may exhibit type II curves.

Developed countries

Nations with advanced economies, affecting species survival.

Survivorship probability

Likelihood of survival at various life stages.

Species vulnerability

Susceptibility of species to extinction or decline.

Ecosystem carrying capacity

Limit of species supported by ecosystem resources.