Generalist and Specialist Species

Question 1

Which habitats are specialist and generalist species respectively have an advantage in, and why?

Answer 1

Specialist species tend to be advantaged in habitats that remain constant because their focused skills allow them to outcompete generalists for resources, while generalist species tend to be advantaged in habitats that are changing because they have a number of alternative habitats and food sources available.

Question 2

Niche generalist

Answer 2

A species that can live under a wide range of abiotic or biotic conditions.

Question 3

What are the qualities of a K-selected species?

Answer 3

K-selected species
tend to be large
have few offspring per reproductive event
live in stable environments
expend significant energy for each offspring
mature after many years of extended youth & parental care
have long life spans/life expectancy
reproduce maybe more than once in their lifetime

Question 4

Niche specialist

Answer 4

A species that is specialized to live in a specific habitat or to feed on a small group of species.

Question 5

What is the competition for resources in K-selected species’ habitats? What is their intrinsic population growth rate? How are they affected by invasive species?

Answer 5

competition for resources in K-selected species’ habitats is usually relatively high
K-selected species are typically more adversely affected by invasive species than r-selected.

K-selected species have a low intrinsic growth rate that causes the population to increase slowly until it reaches carrying capacity.

Question 6

What are the qualities of a r-selected species?

Answer 6

r-selected species
tend to be small
have many offspring
expend or invest minimal energy for each offspring
mature early
have short life spans
may reproduce many times in their lifetime

Question 7

What is the competition for resources in r-selected species’ habitats? What is their intrinsic population growth rate? How are they affected by invasive species?

Answer 7

Competition for resources in r-selected species’ habitat is typically relatively low
r-selected species are minimally affected by invasive species
Most invasive species are r-selected species.
r-selected species have a high intrinsic growth rate, which often leads to population overshoots and die-offs.

Question 8

What is the exception to the r-selected and K-selected species categories?

Answer 8

Many species have reproductive strategies that are not uniquely r-selected or K-selected, or they change in different conditions at different times = continuum species

Question 9

Biotic Potential

Answer 9

refers to the maximum reproductive rate of a population in ideal conditions