AP Environmental Science: Population Dynamics and Biological Strategies

Generalist Species

Species that can survive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and use a range of resources.

Specialist Species

Species that can thrive only in a narrow range of environmental conditions or has a limited diet.

Niche

The role or function of a species within an ecosystem.

Broad Niche

A characteristic of generalist species allowing them to live in many places and tolerate a wide range of conditions.

Narrow Niche

A characteristic of specialist species requiring specific habitat or food sources.

K-Selected Species

Species that exist near carrying capacity and invest heavily in each offspring.

r-Selected Species

Species that maximize reproductive rate and produce many offspring with little parental care.

Survivorship Curve

A graph showing the number of individuals surviving to each age in a population.

Type I Curve

High survival throughout life, with increased mortality in old age, typical of K-selected species.

Type II Curve

Constant mortality rate regardless of age, typical of intermediate species.

Type III Curve

Low survival early in life, with many offspring relying on sheer numbers to survive, typical of r-selected species.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum number of individuals an environment can support sustainably over the long term.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors whose impact increases as population density increases, such as competition and disease.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors affecting populations regardless of size, like natural disasters.

Exponential Growth

Population growth in an ideal environment with unlimited resources, resulting in a J-shaped curve.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that slows as it approaches carrying capacity, resulting in an S-shaped curve.

Overshoot

When a population exceeds the carrying capacity due to a reproductive lag.

Dieback

A population crash that occurs when resources are depleted due to overshoot.

Intrinsic Growth Rate (r)

The maximum growth rate of a population under optimal conditions.

Doubling Time

The estimated time it takes for a population to double in size at a constant growth rate.

Biotic Potential

The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions.

Competition Advantage

The ability of a species to outcompete others in varying environmental conditions.

Parental Care

Investment of time and resources by parents to nurture offspring, common in K-selected species.

Pioneer Species

Species that are the first to colonize disturbed or unstable environments, often r-selected.

Population Dynamics

The study of how populations change in size and structure over time.

Generalist vs Specialist

Generalists thrive in diverse conditions, while specialists thrive in specific environments.

Natural Selection

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.