Generalist vs. Specialist Species
What is one major advantage of being a generalist species?
Generalists can survive in a wide range of environments and eat a variety of foods
Which species type has high parental care: K-selected or r-selected?
K-selected
What is carrying capacity?
The maximum population size an environment can sustainably support.
What does TFR stand for and what does it measure
Total Fertility Rate; the average number of children a woman has.
How many stages are in the demographic transition model?
Four (sometimes five, with decline added).
Species that are more vulnerable to environmental disturbances and habitat loss due to narrow niche specialization.
What is a specialist species?
Which species type has a higher chance of population overshoot and dieback
r-selected
What usually happens to a population when it exceeds carrying capacity?
Resource depletion leads to population decline or dieback.
What TFR value is considered replacement-level fertility?
2.1
In what stage does a country experience the greatest population growth?
Stage 2.
Specialist species are more likely to survive in rapidly changing environments. True or False?
False
Identify the type of survivorship curve where mortality is constant regardless of age, and give an example species.
What is a Type II curve; example: birds or some reptiles?
What are density-dependent limiting factors? Give one example.
Factors affected by population size; e.g., disease, competition
What does a wide-based age structure diagram suggest about a country’s future population?
Rapid population growth.
What happens to death rates in Stage 2?
They fall due to improved sanitation and medicine.
Describe how habitat loss may affect generalist vs. specialist species differently
Generalists can adapt or relocate; specialists are more likely to decline or go extinct.
Compare the offspring quantity and survival strategy of r-selected and K-selected species.
r-selected: many offspring, low survival; K-selected: few offspring, high survival
Describe how food availability can affect population growth
More food allows growth; shortages limit it or cause decline
Name two factors that can decrease TFR in a country.
Access to education, family planning, economic development.
Describe the population trend in Stage 4.
Population stabilizes or grows slowly due to low birth and death rates
Explain why invasive species are often generalists and how that helps them spread.
Generalists can exploit many habitats and resources, outcompeting native species
Identify the survivorship curve (I, II, III) for each: birds, elephants, frogs.
Birds – Type II; Elephants – Type I; Frogs – Type III
Use the logistic growth model to explain the "S-curve" in population dynamics
Populations grow exponentially at first, then slow as they approach carrying capacity, forming an S-shaped curve.
Why do developing countries often have higher TFRs than developed countries?
Less access to healthcare and contraception, cultural norms favor larger families.
Which demographic transition stage typically shows high birth rates and high death rates?
Stage 1.