Unit 3 Review

Focus of Unit 3: populations from human and natural ecosystem perspectives.

Natural Population Dynamics:

• Differentiate between generalist (e.g., raccoons) and specialist (e.g., pandas) species.

• Generalist species are more adaptable to disturbances; specialist species thrive in stable environments.

Reproductive Strategies:

• R-strategists: many offspring, little care, high growth rate.

• K-strategists: fewer offspring, significant care, longer maturity.

• R-strategists can become invasive; K-strategists may struggle against invasive species.

Survivorship and Carrying Capacity:

• Survivorship types: Type 1 (high care, K-selected), Type 2 (consistent mortality), Type 3 (minimal care, R-selected).

• Carrying capacity: max population supported by resources, can lead to overshoots and diebacks.

Human Population Dynamics:

• Age structure diagrams show population growth rates.

• Larger pre-reproductive cohort indicates higher birth rates (developing countries).

• Equilibrium in cohorts leads to slower growth.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR):

• Average children per woman; influenced by age of childbirth, education, and culture.

Demographic Transition Theory:

• Four stages: high birth/death rates (pre-industrial) to low birth/death rates (industrialized).

• Population initially grows, then stabilizes or declines as societies develop.