Untitled Flashcards Set

Species Richness

The number of species in a given area; a measure of biodiversity.

Species Evenness

The relative proportion of individuals among different species in a given area.

Phylogeny

The branching pattern of evolutionary relationships among species.

Fundamental Niche

The suite of abiotic conditions under which a species can survive, grow, and reproduce.

Realized Niche

The actual range of abiotic and biotic conditions under which a species lives.

Niche Generalist

A species that can live under a wide range of abiotic or biotic conditions.

Niche Specialist

A species that is specialized to live in a specific habitat or to feed on a small number of species.

Microevolution

Evolution that occurs below the species level.

Macroevolution

Evolution that results in the formation of new species, genera, families, or higher taxonomic categories.

Natural Selection

The process by which the environment determines which individuals survive and reproduce.

Artificial Selection

The process in which humans determine which individuals breed, based on desired traits.

Bottleneck Effect

A reduction in genetic diversity due to a significant reduction in population size.

Founder Effect

A change in population genetics that occurs when a small number of individuals establish a new population.

Ecological Succession

The predictable replacement of one group of species by another group over time.

Primary Succession

Ecological succession occurring on surfaces that are initially devoid of soil.

Secondary Succession

Succession that occurs in areas that have been disturbed but still have soil.

Climax Community

The final stage of ecological succession.

Intrinsic Growth Rate

The maximum potential growth of a population under ideal conditions with unlimited resources.

K-selected species

Species with a low intrinsic growth rate, producing few offspring and growing slowly.

r-selected species

Species with a high intrinsic growth rate, often leading to population overshoots and die-offs.

Survivorship Curve

A graph that represents the distinct patterns of species survival as a function of age.

Type I Survivorship Curve

High survival rate throughout most of the life span, with large die-offs later in life.

Metapopulation

A group of spatially distinct populations that are connected by occasional movements of individuals.

Inbreeding Depression

Reduced survival and reproduction in offspring due to breeding between closely related individuals.