What is the difference between k-selected and r-selected species? 🔊
K-selected species and r-selected species represent two reproductive strategies in ecology. K-selected species, like elephants and humans, invest in fewer offspring, emphasizing parental care and ensuring higher survival rates. They thrive in stable environments where competition for resources is intense. In contrast, r-selected species, such as insects and weeds, produce numerous offspring with minimal care, aiming for rapid population growth in unstable environments. This strategy allows them to exploit transient resources quickly but often results in higher mortality rates among offspring.
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