AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Island Biogeography
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How do islands become populated with organisms?
Islands are colonized by new species that arrive from other locations over time.
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How do islands become populated with organisms?
Islands are colonized by new species that arrive from other locations over time.
What are the three main components studied within island biogeography?
Island biogeography studies the ecological relationships, the distribution of organisms, and the community structures of those organisms on islands.
Define island biogeography.
Island biogeography is the study of the ecological relationships, distribution of organisms, and community structures on islands.
What is the primary threat that invasive species pose to native island specialists?
The long-term survival of specialists is jeopardized because invasive species, which are often generalists, can be introduced and outcompete them for limited resources.
What is the relationship between resource availability and species evolution on islands?
The limited resources on most islands act as a selective pressure, often causing species to evolve into specialists to minimize competition.
Why are generalist species often successful as invasive species on islands?
Generalists are successful invaders because their ability to use a wide variety of resources allows them to easily outcompete native specialists who rely on a much more limited resource base.
Describe the two main factors that determine the community structure on an island according to the provided text.
The community structure is shaped by the colonization of new species arriving from elsewhere and the subsequent evolution of these species (e.g., into specialists) due to limited resources.
Term: Specialist Species (in island biogeography)
A specialist is a species that has evolved to thrive on a limited range of resources, a common evolutionary path for organisms on islands.
Why do many island species evolve to be specialists rather than generalists?
Species on islands often evolve to be specialists because of the limited resources available in their isolated environments.
An island has a native insect that feeds only on one type of plant. If a new, generalist herbivore is introduced that eats many plants, including the specialist's host plant, what is the likely outcome?
The native specialist insect is at high risk of being outcompeted for its food source, which could jeopardize its long-term survival.