K-selected species

Definition

K-selected species are organisms that produce fewer offspring but invest significant resources in nurturing them to ensure their survival. This strategy is often seen in stable environments where competition for resources is high, leading these species to focus on quality over quantity in terms of reproduction. K-selected species typically have longer lifespans, later maturity, and greater parental care compared to their r-selected counterparts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. K-selected species thrive in environments where competition for limited resources is high, as they focus on raising a few offspring successfully rather than producing many.
2. Examples of K-selected species include elephants, whales, and humans, all of which demonstrate strong parental investment and longer developmental periods.
3. These species tend to have stable population sizes that hover around the carrying capacity of their environment due to their reproductive strategies.
4. K-selected species generally exhibit traits such as larger body sizes, longer gestation periods, and lower reproductive rates.
5. The success of K-selected species is often linked to ecological stability, where predictable environments allow for more effective parental care and resource management.

Review Questions

• How do K-selected species adapt their reproductive strategies to cope with environmental pressures?
  • K-selected species adapt by investing more time and resources into fewer offspring, ensuring that each one has a higher chance of survival. This strategy allows them to thrive in stable environments where resources are limited and competition is intense. By focusing on quality rather than quantity, these species can better manage their populations in ways that align with the carrying capacity of their ecosystems.
• Discuss the implications of K-selection on population dynamics and resource allocation within an ecosystem.
  • The implications of K-selection on population dynamics include more stable population sizes that fluctuate around the carrying capacity due to the lower reproductive rates. This leads to careful resource allocation since K-selected species use resources more efficiently to support the survival of their young. As a result, these species contribute to maintaining the balance of ecosystems by preventing overpopulation and resource depletion.
• Evaluate the role of environmental factors in shaping the life history strategies of K-selected species compared to r-selected species.
  • Environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping life history strategies by influencing whether a species adopts K or r-selection. In stable environments with consistent resource availability, K-selected species evolve traits like longer lifespans and extensive parental care. Conversely, in unpredictable environments where mortality rates are high, r-selected species thrive by producing many offspring quickly. Evaluating these strategies highlights how different ecological conditions drive evolutionary adaptations and impact biodiversity.

Related terms

r-selected species: These are organisms that produce a large number of offspring but invest little in their survival, often resulting in high mortality rates among the young.

Carrying capacity: The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the habitat.

Life history strategy: The overall pattern of growth, reproduction, and survival that characterizes a species and determines its reproductive output and survival rate.