unit 3.1 generalist & specialist species

ecological niche

role and position a species has in its environment

species niche includes all interactions with biotic/abiotic factors of environment

ex. how much water, sunlight, territory/space, range of temperature, how it meets food needs, how it reproduces, how it uses resources in exosystem

generalist species

species with broad ecological niche

able to survive in wide range of abiotic/biotic conditions - diet,climate,habitat, defend against wide range of predators,etc

generalist species

extremely adaptable to changing environment bc they have many food sources and alternative habitats they can take advantage of

generalist species

dont maximize resources in environment so may be easily out-competed

generalist species

flies, rats, cockroaches, white-tailed deer, raccoons, coyotes, humans, grey kangaroo, many weeds

specialist species

species that occupy narrow niches

only live in certain habitat, one type of food, tolerate a certain climate condition

thrive when conditions are just right

specialist species

prone to extinction when environmental conditions change

specialist species are

extremely good at competing with other organisms in their specific niche

tiger salamander

must live in fishless pond

giant panda

habitat loss, low birth rate, bamboo forest

sword-billed hummingbirds

beak longer than body

coevolved with flowers having long corollas