Question 1

What is island biogeography?

Accepted Answer

The study of factors that affect species richness and composition on islands

Question 2

What determines the richness (number) of species found on an island?

Accepted Answer

The rate at which new species immigrate to the island

The rate at which existing species go extinct

Question 3

What is the Equilibrium Theory of island biogeography?

Accepted Answer

Describes the relationship between the rate of immigration and extinction of a species on an island

Islands closer to the mainland have higher rates of immigration

Large islands can support more species and have lower rates of extinction

Question 4

What is the equilibrium number (of species on an island)?

Accepted Answer

The balance between the immigration of new species and the extinction of existing species

(as more species come to the island, the probability of extinction increases)

Question 5

What is an ecological niche?

Accepted Answer

The specific environmental conditions that match a species

(giraffes have the niche of eating high-up leaves)

Question 6

What are specialist species?

Accepted Answer

Species of animals that require very special conditions to survive

(pandas, koalas, etc.; opposite of generalist species)

Question 7

What are generalist species?

Accepted Answer

Species that can live in many different places and don't have any specific requirements

(flies, cockroaches, raccoons, etc.; opposite of specialist species)

Question 8

What are endemic species?

Accepted Answer

Species found in a specific area and found nowhere else in the world

(usually a type of specialist species)

Question 9

What are invasive species?

Accepted Answer

Species that have few natural predators and are able to fill a broad niche

(usually generalists; often damages endemic species)

2.3 Island Biogeography, AP Environmental Science Flashcards