Arthur and Maggie 3.1 Specialist vs. Generalist species

Generalist

- larger range of tolerance
- broader niche (habitat, role in the environment)
- less prone to extinction
- likely to be invasive
- able to adapt quickly/advantage when conditions rapidly change
- use a variety of resources
- more likely to move into new habitat

Specialist

- small range of tolerance/affected by changing conditions
- narrow ecological niche (habitat, role in the environment)
- more prone to extinction
- specific food requirements
- less ability to adapt to new conditions because of specialized needs (food)
- advantage when conditions are constant
- less likely to move into new habitat

specialist

consumer that eats a small number of organisms

generalist

consumer that eats a wide range of organisms

If an organism has a narrow niche, it ...

serves very specific role in its ecosystem

A specialist is (more/less) likely to be affected by changing conditions.

More

A specialist uses a (wide/small) range of resources in its environment.

Small

A generalist is (more/less) likely to go extinct.

Less

(Specialists/Generalists) have more habitat options to choose from.

Generalists

Rapidly changing habitat conditions are (advantageous/disadvantageous) to generalists

Advantageous

Specialists --->(Specialized/Generalized) needs

Specialized - fitted very well for one particular purpose

Generalists --->(Specialized/Generalized) needs

Generalized - fitted well for many different purposes