K-selection

Definition

K-selection refers to a reproductive strategy characterized by the production of fewer offspring that are nurtured and invested in heavily, promoting their survival and development. This approach often occurs in stable environments where resources are limited, leading to a focus on quality rather than quantity in offspring, which ties into broader evolutionary perspectives on reproductive behaviors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. K-selected species often have longer gestation periods and lower mortality rates among their young due to increased parental care.
2. In k-selection, organisms tend to have larger body sizes and greater longevity compared to r-selected species.
3. K-selection is typically found in environments where population densities are close to carrying capacity, leading to competition for limited resources.
4. Examples of k-selected species include elephants, whales, and humans, all of which invest significantly in the upbringing of their young.
5. The balance between k-selection and r-selection can shift due to environmental changes, affecting how species adapt their reproductive strategies.

Review Questions

• How does k-selection influence the reproductive behaviors of organisms in stable environments?
  • K-selection influences reproductive behaviors by encouraging organisms to invest heavily in fewer offspring, which leads to increased care and nurturing. In stable environments where resources are limited, this strategy enhances the survival chances of the young as they receive more attention from parents. This long-term investment helps ensure that the offspring grow to maturity successfully in a competitive setting.
• Compare and contrast k-selection and r-selection in terms of their impact on population dynamics.
  • K-selection and r-selection represent two contrasting strategies that affect population dynamics differently. K-selected species maintain stable populations through low reproduction rates and high parental investment, leading to gradual population growth close to carrying capacity. In contrast, r-selected species experience rapid population fluctuations with high reproductive rates but low parental care, resulting in boom-and-bust cycles. This comparison illustrates how each strategy adapts to environmental pressures and resource availability.
• Evaluate the implications of k-selection for conservation efforts focused on endangered species.
  • K-selection has significant implications for conservation efforts targeting endangered species. Since k-selected organisms require more parental care and have longer life cycles, conservation strategies must prioritize habitat preservation and protection of breeding grounds. Understanding the reproductive behaviors driven by k-selection can help develop targeted interventions that ensure the survival of these species in their natural environments, emphasizing the importance of resource availability and stability in conservation planning.

Related terms

r-selection:

A reproductive strategy that emphasizes the production of many offspring with minimal parental investment, typically occurring in unstable environments.

Life history strategy: The overall pattern of growth, reproduction, and survival that organisms exhibit over their lifetime, influencing their reproductive strategies like k-selection and r-selection.

Parental investment: The time and resources that parents dedicate to raising their offspring, which is crucial in determining the reproductive strategy employed, particularly in k-selection.