K-selected Strategy
Definition
A reproductive strategy characterized by long life spans, fewer offspring, high parental care and investment in offspring. These species are often larger and have longer developmental periods.
Analogy
Think of a K-selected strategy like a meticulous gardener who plants only a few seeds but takes great care to ensure each one grows into a healthy plant. This is opposed to an r-selected strategy where the gardener throws out many seeds hoping some will grow, with little care for each individual seed.
Related terms
Life History Theory: The biological concept that explains how organisms allocate resources between growth, reproduction, and survival.
r-selected Strategy: A reproductive strategy characterized by short life spans, many offspring, little parental care and rapid maturation.
Carrying Capacity (K): The maximum population size that can be supported indefinitely by the environment without degrading it.
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