3.1 Generalist and Specialist Species

• Specialist species can easily adapt to alternative food sources if their primary resource becomes scarce.

  False
• Koalas are specialist species that depend solely on eucalyptus
• Order the following characteristics to compare generalist and specialist species:

  1️⃣ Environmental Range

  2️⃣ Diet

  3️⃣ Adaptability

  4️⃣ Competition

  5️⃣ Vulnerability to Change
• Which type of species has low vulnerability to environmental change?

  Generalist
• Generalist species have a varied diet, while specialists have a specific diet.
• Coyotes are generalist species because they can thrive in forests and urban areas with a diverse diet.
• What is the adaptability level of specialist species?

  Low
• Match the advantage with the corresponding species type:

  Generalist ↔️ Environmental Resilience

  Specialist ↔️ Ecological Specialization
• Generalist species may be outcompeted by specialists in resource-rich environments
• How do specialist species enhance ecosystem productivity in their specific niches?

  Maximizing resource use
• What is the definition of generalist species?

  Broad range of conditions
• Provide an example of a generalist species.

  Coyote
• What is the definition of specialist species?

  Narrow range of conditions
• Provide an example of a specialist species.

  Giant Panda
• Generalist species can thrive in diverse ecosystems and adjust to environmental changes more easily than specialist species.
• Generalist species are able to thrive in a broad range of environmental conditions
• Coyotes are generalist species that can survive in environments from forests to urban areas
• Specialist species are highly adapted to their niche, making them vulnerable to environmental changes.
• Generalist species adapt easily to changes in their environment, consuming different food types and living in diverse ecosystems
• Match the generalist species with its habitat and food resources:

  Coyotes ↔️ Forests, urban areas || Fruits, insects, small animals

  Raccoons ↔️ Urban areas, wetlands, forests || Plants, insects, small animals

  Humans ↔️ Various climates and ecosystems || Diverse food types
• What is the primary food source of koalas?

  Eucalyptus leaves
• Specialist species have low adaptability and high vulnerability to change.
• Specialist species like koalas are highly dependent on eucalyptus forests
• Match the specialist species with its habitat and food resources:

  Koala ↔️ Eucalyptus forests || Eucalyptus leaves

  Giant Panda ↔️ Bamboo forests || Bamboo

  Snow Leopard ↔️ High-altitude mountain regions || Mountain goats, bharal
• What is the habitat of the snow leopard?

  High-altitude mountains
• Generalist species have a broad environmental range, allowing them to thrive in diverse habitats
• Generalist species have high adaptability and low vulnerability to environmental changes.
• What is an example of a generalist species mentioned in the study material?

  Coyote
• What is an example of a specialist species mentioned in the study material?

  Koala
• Generalist species adjust more easily to environmental changes compared to specialist species.
• Generalist species have a broad environmental range and high adaptability
• What is the defining characteristic of generalist species?

  Broad environmental adaptability
• Generalist species thrive in a broad range of environmental conditions
• Coyotes are considered generalist species because they survive in forests and urban areas.
• What is the primary vulnerability of specialist species?

  Habitat loss