APES Unit 3

Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize previously uninhabited or disturbed environments, such as lichens and mosses.

Age structure describes the distribution of individuals of different ages within a population.

A generalist species is one that has a wide range of dietary habits and can thrive in various habitats.

Type I survivorship curves are characterized by low death rates in early and middle life, with a dramatic increase in death rates in older age.

Emigration is the process by which individuals leave a population, leading to a decrease in population size.

Climax species are stable, mature species that dominate an ecosystem at its final stage of ecological succession.

Generalist species can thrive in a variety of environments and have diverse diets, while specialist species have specific habitat and dietary requirements.

Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population.

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

Biodiversity enhances ecosystem productivity, stability, and resilience, allowing ecosystems to better withstand environmental changes.