All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Identify one advantage of being a generalist species.
Answer: Flexibility in diet and habitat. Adaptability reduces extinction risk during environmental shifts.
Flashcard 2: What is a niche?
Answer: The role and position a species has in its environment. It includes habitat, diet, and resource use patterns.
Flashcard 3: Which type of species is more adaptable to environmental changes?
Answer: Generalist species. Their broad tolerance allows survival in varied conditions.
Flashcard 4: How do generalists impact ecosystem services?
Answer: They provide broad ecosystem services. They perform multiple functions across ecosystems.
Flashcard 5: What ecological role do specialist species often play?
Answer: Niche specialists often control specific populations. They're keystone species maintaining ecosystem balance.
Flashcard 6: Which species type is more likely to adapt to urban environments?
Answer: Generalist species. Their adaptability suits human-modified environments.
Flashcard 7: How do specialists affect competition dynamics?
Answer: They reduce competition by exploiting specific niches. Their narrow niche minimizes overlap with others.
Flashcard 8: What type of habitat is typically utilized by specialist species?
Answer: Specific and stable habitats. They require consistent environmental conditions.
Flashcard 9: What type of habitat is typically utilized by generalist species?
Answer: Varied and diverse habitats. Their flexibility suits many habitat types.
Flashcard 10: What defines a specialist species?
Answer: A species with a narrow niche and specific resource needs. They're highly adapted to specific conditions.
Flashcard 11: Give an example of a generalist species.
Answer: Raccoons. They eat varied foods and live in diverse habitats.
Flashcard 12: Give an example of a specialist species.
Answer: Koalas. They only eat eucalyptus leaves.
Flashcard 13: Which species type often requires conservation efforts due to limited range?
Answer: Specialist species. Their specific needs make conservation challenging.
Flashcard 14: How do specialists affect competition dynamics?
Answer: They reduce competition by exploiting specific niches. Their narrow niche minimizes overlap with others.
Flashcard 15: Which type of species is more likely to become endangered?
Answer: Specialist species. Their narrow niche increases extinction vulnerability.
Flashcard 16: What is one consequence of habitat fragmentation for specialists?
Answer: Reduced habitat availability and population decline. Fragments may lack their specific resource needs.
Flashcard 17: Which species type is more likely to coexist with human development?
Answer: Generalist species. Their flexibility helps them adapt to urban disturbance.
Flashcard 18: How might climate change impact specialist species?
Answer: It may reduce their suitable habitats. Shifting conditions may eliminate their specific requirements.
Flashcard 19: Which species type is more likely to adapt to urban environments?
Answer: Generalist species. Their adaptability suits human-modified environments.
Flashcard 20: How do generalists affect competition dynamics?
Answer: They can increase competition by utilizing various resources. Their broad diet overlaps with many species.
Flashcard 21: Which species type is more likely to thrive in a rapidly changing environment?
Answer: Generalist species. Their adaptability helps them survive disturbances.
Flashcard 22: Identify one disadvantage of being a specialist species.
Answer: High vulnerability to environmental changes. Specific needs make them prone to extinction.
Flashcard 23: How might generalist species influence the spread of diseases?
Answer: They can act as vectors due to wide-ranging habits. Their mobility allows pathogen transmission across areas.
Flashcard 24: How do human activities impact specialist species?
Answer: They often lead to habitat loss and resource scarcity. Development destroys their specific habitat requirements.
Flashcard 25: How do specialist species contribute to ecosystem stability?
Answer: They maintain specific population and resource balances. They fill unique roles that regulate ecosystem functions.
Flashcard 26: What strategy might a specialist species use to avoid competition?
Answer: Resource partitioning. They divide resources to reduce direct competition.
Flashcard 27: What is a key characteristic of a generalist diet?
Answer: Diverse and adaptable. They consume many food types and sources.
Flashcard 28: What is a key characteristic of a specialist diet?
Answer: Narrow and specific. They depend on few food sources or types.
Flashcard 29: What is a niche?
Answer: The role and position a species has in its environment. It includes habitat, diet, and resource use patterns.
Flashcard 30: Why might a specialist species become a conservation priority?
Answer: Due to its vulnerability and unique ecological role. Loss of specialists can destabilize ecosystems.