Survivorship Curves - AP Environmental Science

What curve type might you expect for a species with prolonged parental care?

Type I. Extended care increases offspring survival rates during vulnerable early stages.
What type of survivorship curve do oysters exhibit?

Type III. Oysters produce many larvae but few survive to adulthood.
Which survivorship curve often results in stable population sizes?

Type I. High early survival rates lead to predictable population demographics.
What does a Type II curve imply about age-specific survival rates?

They are uniform across ages. Constant mortality rate means age doesn't affect an individual's death probability.
What curve type is likely for a species with a high survival rate in youth?

Type I. Strong early survival indicates significant parental investment and care strategies.
Identify the curve type with the least parental care.

Type III. Minimal parental investment results in high offspring mortality rates.
What is a Type I survivorship curve?

A curve where most individuals survive to old age. Characterized by low juvenile mortality and high survival rates until old age.
Which organisms usually exhibit a Type III curve?

Fish, insects, and plants. R-selected species that produce many offspring with minimal parental investment.
In which type of curve do few individuals reach maturity?

Type III. Extreme juvenile mortality prevents most offspring from reaching reproductive maturity.
Describe a Type III survivorship curve.

High mortality in early life, few survivors live long. Most offspring die young, but those that survive have good longevity prospects.
Which curve type is typical for species in unpredictable environments?

Type III. High reproductive output strategy works well in variable environmental conditions.
What type of organisms typically follow a Type I curve?

Humans and large mammals. K-selected species that invest heavily in parental care and offspring survival.
Identify the curve type for species with high early-life investment.

Type I. K-selected species prioritize offspring quality through substantial resource investment.
Which curve type is associated with a steep initial decline?

Type III. Rapid early mortality creates a characteristic sharp downward curve slope.
Which type of curve is associated with high parental care?

Type I. Extensive parental care reduces juvenile mortality and extends lifespan.
Which type of curve describes constant risk of death?

Type II. Age-independent mortality means death probability stays constant throughout life.
Which survivorship curve is likely for animals with high early mortality?

Type III. Most deaths occur in juvenile stages before reproductive maturity.
Which curve type is more likely in stable environments?

Type I. Stable conditions favor species with low juvenile mortality and extended lifespans.
Which type of curve may indicate a balanced age structure?

Type II. Consistent mortality across age groups creates stable demographic patterns.
Which survivorship curve is typical for humans?

Type I. Humans exhibit low early mortality with most deaths occurring in old age.
How does a Type II curve differ from a Type I?

Type II has a constant mortality rate. Type I shows age-dependent mortality while Type II shows age-independent mortality.
In a Type III curve, when do most individuals die?

In the early stages of life. High juvenile mortality eliminates most individuals before reaching reproductive age.
What is the main feature of a Type I survivorship curve?

Low early mortality, high late-life mortality. Survival remains high until advanced age when senescence increases mortality.
What is a key feature of populations following a Type III curve?

Large numbers of offspring with high early mortality. R-strategy compensates for low survival probability with quantity over quality.
What shape is associated with a Type III curve?

Convex. The curve bulges outward, showing rapid early decline in survival.
Which type of survivorship curve suggests a high birth rate?

Type III. High reproductive output compensates for extremely high juvenile mortality rates.
What is the typical lifespan pattern in Type II curves?

Uniform survivorship throughout life. Equal probability of death at any age creates steady population decline.
What characterizes a Type II survivorship curve?

A constant death rate throughout lifespan. Mortality probability remains the same regardless of age throughout the organism's life.
What type of curve is associated with organisms producing many offspring?

Type III. Quantity-over-quality reproductive strategy maximizes potential population growth.
Which curve type is seen in many annual plants?

Type III. Annual plants produce many seeds but most fail to establish successfully.
What type of survivorship curve might a tree with many seeds have?

Type III. Mass seed production with minimal investment per individual seed.
What is the typical shape of a Type I survivorship curve?

Concave. The curve bends downward, showing delayed mortality until later life stages.
What shape does a Type II survivorship curve form?

Linear. A straight diagonal line represents constant mortality rate across all ages.
State the main difference between Type II and Type III curves.

Type II has constant mortality; Type III has high early mortality. Type II maintains steady mortality while Type III front-loads deaths early.
Which curve type indicates a species with constant age-specific mortality?

Type II. Mortality probability remains unchanged regardless of the organism's current age.
Identify organisms that typically follow a Type II curve.

Birds and some reptiles. Species with moderate parental investment and relatively stable mortality rates.
What type of curve is seen in organisms with low juvenile mortality?

Type I. Strong early survival indicates effective protection during vulnerable life stages.
In which type of curve does mortality occur after reproductive age?

Type I. Most individuals survive to reproduce before experiencing age-related mortality.

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