Chapter 3 Flashcards
Generalist species
Generalist species are those that can adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions and can survive in many different habitats. Some examples of generalist species include raccoons, coyotes, and rats.
Specialist Species
Specialist species are those that have specific habitat requirements and are adapted to thrive in a narrow range of environmental conditions. Some examples of specialist species include koalas, pandas, and monarch butterflies.
K-Selected
K-selected species are those that have a low reproductive rate, long life span, and are adapted to thrive in stable environments. Some examples of K-selected species include elephants, whales, and humans.
r-Selected
r-selected species are those that have a high reproductive rate, short life span, and are adapted to thrive in unstable environments. Some examples of r-selected species include insects, rodents, and some fish species.
Survivorship curves
Survivorship curves are graphs that show the number of individuals from a population that survive to different ages. There are three types of survivorship curves: Type I, Type II, and Type III.
Type I
Type I survivorship curve shows high survival rates for individuals that survive to old age.
Type II
Type II survivorship curve shows constant mortality rates for individuals throughout their lifespan.
Type III
Type III survivorship curve shows high mortality rates for individuals at a young age, with those that survive to adulthood having high survival rates.
Which curve do K-strategists follow?
K-strategists typically follow Type I survivorship curves. They invest a lot of resources in their offspring, which results in high survival rates for individuals that survive to old age.
Which curve do r-strategists follow?
R-strategists typically follow Type III survivorship curves. They produce large numbers of offspring with low investment in each offspring, which results in high mortality rates for individuals at a young age, with those that survive to adulthood having high survival rates.
carrying capacity
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain over a long period of time.
population overshoot
Population overshoot occurs when a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, leading to a decline in resources and an increase in mortality rates.
biotic potential
Biotic potential refers to the maximum rate at which a population can grow under ideal conditions, with unlimited resources and without any environmental constraints.
density dependent
Density-dependent factors are environmental factors that have a greater impact on populations as their size and density increase. Examples include competition for resources, predation, and disease.
density independent
Density-independent factors are environmental factors that affect populations regardless of their size and density. Examples include natural disasters, climate change, and habitat destruction.
logistic growth
Logistic growth is a type of population growth that occurs when a population grows rapidly at first, but then slows down as it approaches the carrying capacity of its environment. The growth rate slows as the population size approaches the carrying capacity.
exponential growth
Exponential growth is a type of population growth that occurs when a population grows at a constant rate, with no constraints on its growth. The population size doubles at a constant rate over time.
birth rate
Birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 individuals in a population per year.
death rate
Death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 individuals in a population per year.
life expectancy
Life expectancy is the average number of years that an individual is expected to live, based on demographic factors such as age, gender, and location.
fertility rate
Fertility rate is the number of live births per 1,000 women of childbearing age (usually defined as ages 15-49) in a population per year.
total fertility rate
Total fertility rate is the average number of children that a woman is expected to have over her lifetime, based on current birth rates. It is often used as an indicator of population growth or decline.
replacement level fertility
Replacement level fertility is the average number of children per woman required to maintain a stable population size over time. It is usually estimated to be around 2.1 children per woman.
infant mortality rate
Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given population in a given year.
Population Density
Population density is the number of people per unit of area, usually expressed as persons per square kilometer or square mile. It is a measure of how crowded or spread out a population is in a given area.
Growth Rate
Growth rate is the rate at which a population or economy is increasing or decreasing over time.
Doubling Time
Doubling time is the amount of time it takes for a population or an economy to double in size.
Pre-industrial Stage
The pre-industrial stage is the first stage of the demographic transition model. It’s characterized by high birth rates and death rates, which result in a stable or slowly growing population.
Transitional Stage
The transitional stage is the second stage of the demographic transition model. During this stage, death rates decrease while birth rates remain high, leading to a rapid increase in population growth.
Industrial Stage
The industrial stage is the third stage of the demographic transition model. During this stage, birth rates decline due to urbanization, increased access to contraception, and the rising cost of raising children. Death rates continue to decline due to improvements in healthcare and sanitation, resulting in a slower rate of population growth.
Post-Industrial stage
The post-industrial stage is the fourth stage of the demographic transition model. During this stage, both birth rates and death rates are low, resulting in a stable or slowly shrinking population due to factors such as increased access to education and healthcare, greater gender equality, and changing attitudes towards family size.
