AP Environmental Science Unit 3: Populations

This set of flashcards is designed for review of key vocabulary and concepts from Unit 3 of AP Environmental Science, focusing on populations, species strategies, and factors affecting population dynamics.

Specialist Species

Species that have a narrower ecological niche and specific food requirements, making them more prone to extinction.

Generalist Species

Species that have a broader ecological niche and a wider range of tolerance, making them less prone to extinction.

Niche Separation

The division of resources among species to reduce competition.

Niche Breadth

The range of conditions or resources a species can utilize.

K-selected Species

Species that tend to be larger, have few offspring, and invest significant energy into parental care.

r-selected Species

Species that tend to be smaller, have many offspring, and expend little energy on each offspring.

Biotic Potential

The maximum reproductive rate of a population under ideal environmental conditions.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain based on available resources.

Population Overshoot

When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, leading to resource depletion.

Die-off

A sharp decrease in population size due to resource depletion following an overshoot.

Density-dependent Factors

Factors that influence population growth based on the size of the population, such as food and competition.

Density-independent Factors

Factors that affect population growth regardless of population size, such as natural disasters.

Invasive Species

Species that are not native to a location and can cause harm to the ecosystem when introduced.

Survivorship Curve

A graph that displays the relative survival rates of a cohort—a group of individuals of the same age—over time.

Type I Survivorship Curve

Characterized by high survival rates in early and middle life, with a rapid decrease in survivorship in later life.

Type II Survivorship Curve

Characterized by a constant death rate throughout the life span.

Type III Survivorship Curve

Characterized by high mortality rates early in life, with a few individuals surviving to adulthood.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children that a woman will have in her lifetime.

Replacement Level Fertility

The TFR at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next, typically about 2.1.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

The number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in a given year.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A model that describes the transition of high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as a country develops.

Industrialization

The process of developing industries in a country or region on a wide scale.

Population Doubling Time

The time it takes for a population to double in size, approximately calculated using the Rule of 70.

High Death Rate

A significant number of deaths in a population in a given time period, often due to poor health conditions or lack of medical care.

High Birth Rate

A large number of live births in a population over a certain time frame.

Life Expectancy

An average age to which a person is expected to live, influenced by factors such as healthcare access.

Affluence

Wealth and the well-being of a population, impacting total fertility rates and population growth.

Sex Ratio

The ratio of males to females in a given population.

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Exponential Growth

Growth that occurs when resources are unlimited, leading to a rapid increase in population.

Logistic Growth

Growth that occurs when a population's growth rate decreases as it approaches carrying capacity.

Environmental Indicators

Measurements that provide information about the state of the environment, such as biodiversity and pollution levels.

Population Characteristics

Aspects that describe a population, including size, density, distribution, and age structure.

Age Structure Diagram

A graphical representation showing the distribution of various age groups in a population.

Cohort

A group of individuals who share a common demographic experience, such as being born in the same year.

Economic Opportunity

Job prospects and careers available to individuals within a population, impacting overall growth.

Natural Increase

The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths in a population.

Transition Stage 1

A pre-industrial society with high birth and death rates, resulting in a stable population.

Transition Stage 2

A developing society experiencing declining death rates and high birth rates, leading to rapid population growth.

Transition Stage 3

An industrialized society with declining birth rates, resulting in slowing population growth.

Transition Stage 4

A highly developed society with very low birth and death rates, sometimes leading to population decline.

Population Pyramid

A graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age groups in a population.

Malthusian Theory

A theory suggesting that population growth will always outstrip food supply, leading to famine and conflict.

Population Management

Strategies used to regulate or control population growth.

Resource Availability

The accessibility of natural resources for consumption or use by a population.

Urbanization

The process of a population shifting from rural to urban areas, impacting demographic trends.

Bottleneck Effect

A sharp reduction in population size due to environmental events, leading to decreased genetic diversity.

Carrying Capacity Overshoot

The condition when a population temporarily exceeds its carrying capacity, often resulting in die-off.

Invasive Species Characteristics

Traits that enable invasive species to thrive in new environments, such as rapid reproduction.

Age Cohort

A group of individuals of the same age, often analyzed to determine population trends.

Behavioral Adaptations

Changes in behavior that species develop in response to environmental changes or pressures.

Population Control Policies

Government strategies aimed at managing population growth rates.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, representing the area of productive land required.

Population Shift

A significant change in the patterns of population distribution and demographics.

Sustainable Population Growth

Population growth that can be maintained without depleting resources or causing ecological damage.

Cultural Factors

Societal beliefs, traditions, and practices that can influence population growth and fertility rates.

Dependency Ratio

The ratio of people who are not in the labor force to those who are, impacting economic growth.

Population Density Response

The population's response to changes in density, including migration and resource use.

Contraceptive Access

The availability of methods to prevent pregnancy, impacting fertility rates.

Environmental Recovery

The process by which ecosystems heal or return to a previous state after disturbance.