K-selection

Definition

K-selection refers to a reproductive strategy where organisms produce fewer offspring but invest more time and resources into each one, enhancing their chances of survival in stable environments. This strategy is associated with species that thrive in competitive conditions, where the focus is on quality rather than quantity of offspring. K-selected species often exhibit longer lifespans, delayed reproduction, and parental care, which increases the likelihood of offspring reaching maturity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. K-selected species tend to have longer gestation periods and produce fewer offspring compared to r-selected species.
2. Examples of K-selected species include elephants, humans, and whales, which all invest heavily in the care of their young.
3. In stable environments with limited resources, K-selection can lead to slower population growth but increased stability and survival rates.
4. K-selection often results in higher competition for resources among individuals within a population due to the limited number of offspring produced.
5. The concept of K-selection helps explain the different survival strategies employed by organisms based on their environmental conditions and resource availability.

Review Questions

• How does K-selection impact the reproductive strategies and life history traits of certain species?
  • K-selection significantly influences reproductive strategies by favoring species that produce fewer offspring but invest more in their care and development. This leads to life history traits such as longer gestation periods and delayed reproduction. For example, K-selected species often have longer lifespans and greater parental investment, which enhances the survival rates of their young in stable environments.
• Compare and contrast K-selection with r-selection in terms of reproductive strategies and ecological contexts.
  • K-selection is characterized by producing fewer offspring with high parental care, leading to greater chances of individual survival in stable environments. In contrast, r-selection focuses on producing many offspring with little to no parental investment, thriving in unstable environments where rapid reproduction is necessary. While K-selected species are often found in competitive habitats where resources are limited, r-selected species flourish in unpredictable settings where high mortality rates demand quick reproduction.
• Evaluate the role of carrying capacity in shaping K-selected reproductive strategies within ecological communities.
  • Carrying capacity plays a crucial role in shaping K-selected reproductive strategies by influencing population dynamics and resource availability. As a population approaches its carrying capacity, competition for limited resources increases, favoring those individuals who can invest more in fewer offspring. This results in traits typical of K-selected species, such as longer lifespans and parental care, ensuring that the few offspring produced have a higher likelihood of survival in a competitive environment.

Related terms

r-selection: A reproductive strategy where organisms produce many offspring with little parental investment, maximizing reproductive success in unstable or unpredictable environments.

Life history traits: Characteristics that affect an organism's schedule of reproduction and survival, including age at first reproduction, number of offspring, and lifespan.

Carrying capacity: The maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without being degraded.