Skip to main content
Back

r/K Selection definitions

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/15
  • Life History
    Pattern of resource allocation to survival, growth, and reproduction unique to each species.
  • Natural Selection
    Evolutionary mechanism shaping traits that optimize survival and reproduction in specific environments.
  • K Selection
    Strategy favoring traits that enhance survival and competitiveness in stable, crowded environments.
  • r Selection
    Strategy favoring rapid population increase and high reproductive output in unpredictable environments.
  • Carrying Capacity
    Maximum population size an environment can sustain without resource depletion.
  • Fecundity
    Potential reproductive output, often high in species with minimal parental care.
  • Parental Investment
    Amount of time, energy, or resources devoted to raising offspring.
  • Type 1 Survivorship Curve
    Pattern with high early-life survival and increased mortality in later life stages.
  • Type 3 Survivorship Curve
    Pattern with high early-life mortality and few individuals surviving to adulthood.
  • Population Density
    Number of individuals per unit area, influencing competition and reproductive strategies.
  • Boom and Bust Cycle
    Population pattern marked by rapid growth followed by sudden decline.
  • Competition
    Interaction among organisms vying for limited resources in an environment.
  • Survivorship
    Proportion of individuals surviving at different stages of life within a population.
  • Offspring
    New individuals produced by a parent, varying in number and care among species.
  • Fitness
    Relative ability to survive and reproduce, contributing genes to future generations.