POP: Lesson - Generalists and Specialists (Topic 3.1) š
ā³ Estimated Reading/Watching Time: 2 - 4 minutes
Identify differences between generalist and specialist species.
Generalists and Specialists
Specialists and generalists are two types of species that differ in their ecological niches.
Generalist species have broad niches: They can live in many different places, eat a variety of foods, and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. View the examples of generalists below:
Specialist species have narrow niches: They may be able to live in only one type of habitat, tolerate only a narrow range of climatic and other environmental conditions, or use only one or a few types of food, which makes them more prone to becoming endangered when environmental conditions change.
When environmental conditions are fairly constant, as in a tropical rain forest, specialists have an advantage because they have fewer competitors. Specialists tend to be more efficient at exploiting their resources and have less competition, but they are also more vulnerable to extinction if their environment is disturbed, or their resources are depleted.
Generalists tend to be more resilient to environmental changes and can colonize new habitats, but they also face more competition and may have lower reproductive rates. When environments are changing rapidly, the adaptable generalist is usually better off than the specialist.
Specialist species tend to be advantaged in habitats that remain constant, while generalist species tend to be advantaged in habitats that are changing.
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