U3: 3.1/3.2

Question 1

Describe specialist species

Answer 1

Specialist species have a smaller range of tolerance, with specific food/habitat requirements and less ability to adapt. Narrow niche, vulnerable to ecosystem disturbances.

Question 2

Explain why r-selected species are more likely to become invasive species than K-selected species.

Answer 2

R-selected species are more likely to become invasive because they are better suited to rapidly changing environmental conditions.

Question 2

Describe generalist species

Answer 2

Generalist species have a larger tolerance range, with a broad food/habitat preference and high adaptability. Broad niche, highly adaptable to ecosystem disturbances.

Question 2

Example of generalist species

Answer 2

Raccoons! They can eat many types of food, (nicknamed “trash panda”), and live in many habitats!

Question 2

Example of specialist species

Answer 2

Pandas! Large mammals that eat only bamboo, high parental care and few offspring.

Question 2

Describe biotic potential.

Answer 2

Biotic potential is the reproductive rate of a species.

Question 2

Explain whether specialist or generalist would be advantaged in a grassland ecosystem that is frequently disrupted by fire.

Answer 2

The generalist species would be advantaged because they have a higher adaptability, therefore would adapt to better survive frequent fires.

Question 2

Describe the reproductive strategy of r-selected species

Answer 2

R-selected species may reproduce only once, producing many offspring with little to no parental care (R-Run away!)

Question 2

Identify 4 r-Selected/r-strategists characteristics

Answer 2

1. Reach sexual maturity quickly
2. Little to no parental care
3. Produce large number of offspring
4. High population growth rate

Question 2

Describe the reproductive strategy of K-selected species

Answer 2

Usually reproduce many times, producing few offspring with heavy parental care to protect them. (K-CARE!)

Question 2

Identify whether K-selected species tend to have a low or high biotic potential.

Answer 2

K-selected species have a low biotic potential. Hard for the population to recover after disturbance.

Question 2

Characteristics of K-Selected/k-Strategists

Answer 2

1. Mammals
2. Slow to reach sexual maturity
3. Few offspring at a time
4. Longer life spans
5. High level of parental care

Question 2

Explain why K-selected species are more likely to become negatively affected by invasive species.

Answer 2

K-selected species are more likely to be negatively affected by invasive species because they are more likely to be disrupted by rapidly changing environmental conditions.