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As species adapt and evolve to fit their environment, they begin to fill a different niche. Simply put, a niche is the role a species plays in the ecosystem.
There are many roles a species can fill in an ecosystem: predator, prey, decomposer, producer, etc.
However, there are 2 main types of species: generalists and specialists
Generalist Species
Generalist Species
live in different habitats, eat lots of food types, and can tolerate lots of conditions
Specialist Species
Specialist Species
one habitat, one or a few food types, and has a narrow range of conditions it can tolerate
Based on what you know so far, do you think it's better to be a generalist species or a specialist species? Why?
Based on what you know so far, do you think it's better to be a generalist species or a specialist species? Why?
Other types of species include native species, nonnative species, indicator species, and keystone species.
Other types of species include native species, nonnative species, indicator species, and keystone species.
Native Species
Originated in the environment it lives in.
Nonnative Species
Was introduced to an environment it didn't live in.
Indicator Species
Their presence or absence tells us about environmental conditions.
Keystone Species
Their presence is necessary for the ecosystem to function properly.
Pick one of the following species to read about:
Pick one of the following species to read about:
(click on the image to access the reading)
(click on the image to access the reading)
Frogs
Frogs
Indicator Species
Sharks
Sharks
Keystone Species
Zebra Mussels
Zebra Mussels
Invasive Species
Checkpoint 4:
Checkpoint 4:
You will need to create a model (comic strip, cartoon, drawing, analogy, etc.) that shows how one type of species (indicator, keystone, invasive, generalist, or specialist) interacts with its ecosystem.
Bring your model to class to submit it.
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