Niche Navigators
What is the main difference between generalist and specialist species?
Generalists can use a wide range of resources/niches, specialists rely on narrow or specific ones.
Define r-selected species.
Species with high reproductive rates, many offspring, little parental care, short lifespan.
What does a survivorship curve show?
The survival rate of a population over time, from birth to death.
Why are generalist species considered more resilient to habitat loss?
They can survive on many different food sources and habitats.
A species of bird feeds only on one type of insect. Is it a generalist or specialist?
Specialist
Give one example of a generalist species and one example of a specialist species.
Generalist: raccoon, cockroach, rat. Specialist: panda, koala, salamander.
Define K-selected species.
Species with few offspring, high parental care, long lifespan, stable populations near carrying capacity.
Which type of curve is associated with K-selected species like humans?
Type I (low mortality early, high mortality at old age).
Which is more likely to adapt to climate change: a panda or a raccoon? Why?
Raccoon, because it can eat and live in many environments.
Rabbits have many offspring, little parental care, and short lifespans. What strategy do they follow?
r-selected
Which type of species is more likely to survive rapid environmental changes and why?
Generalists, because they are adaptable to multiple food sources and habitats.
Which type of species is more likely to rebound quickly after a disturbance?
r-selected species, because they reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
What kind of survivorship curve do r-selected species like oysters or insects show?
Type III (high mortality early, few survive to adulthood).
How might r-selected species respond to habitat destruction compared to K-selected species?
r-selected species rebound faster, while K-selected species decline slowly but are less likely to recover.
Elephants reproduce slowly, live long lives, and care for their young. What survivorship curve fits them?
Type I
Why might specialists outcompete generalists in a stable environment?
Specialists are highly efficient at using their specific niche resources.
Why are K-selected species more vulnerable to extinction?
They reproduce slowly and invest heavily in few offspring, making recovery harder.
Which survivorship curve shows a constant rate of mortality over time?
Type II (birds, rodents, some reptiles).
Why are K-selected species often the focus of conservation efforts?
Their low reproductive rates and high extinction risk make recovery difficult without protection.
A population of fish shows constant mortality throughout life. Which survivorship curve is this?
Type II
Predict what would happen to a specialist species if its main food source disappeared.
Its population would decline or go extinct, since it cannot easily adapt to alternative resources.
Give one real-world example of an r-selected species and one K-selected species.
r-selected: dandelions, mice, insects. K-selected: elephants, whales, humans.
Explain how survivorship curves connect to reproductive strategies.
Type I → few offspring, high parental care (K-strategy). Type III → many offspring, little care (r-strategy).
Predict how invasive species are typically classified (r vs. K, generalist vs. specialist) and why.
Usually r-selected generalists, because they reproduce quickly and thrive in many conditions.
Predict what would happen to a generalist invasive species introduced into a new ecosystem with few predators.
Its population would rapidly grow, outcompete native species, and disrupt ecosystem balance.