3.2 K-Selected and r-Selected Species

• What is the defining characteristic of K-selected species in terms of reproduction?

  Low reproductive rate
• K-selected species tend to live relatively long lives.
• K-selected species are typically smaller in size compared to r-selected species.

  False
• What type of parental care do K-selected species provide?

  Intensive parental care
• K-selected species thrive in stable environments near their carrying capacity.
• What is the primary reproductive strategy of r-selected species?

  High reproductive rate
• r-selected species have relatively short lifespans.
• How much parental care do r-selected species invest in their offspring?

  Minimal parental care
• r-selected species thrive in stable environments near carrying capacity.

  False
• What type of parental care do K-selected species invest in their young?

  Intensive parental care
• r-selected species thrive in fluctuating environments.
• r-selected species typically have long lifespans.

  False
• What is the primary focus of K-selected species regarding their offspring?

  Intensive parental care
• r-selected species have a high reproductive rate.
• r-selected species invest significant time and effort in raising their young.

  False
• What do r-selected species prioritize over individual survival?

  Reproduction
• K-selected species have a low reproductive rate
• K-selected species are typically small in size.

  False
• What type of parental care do K-selected species provide?

  Intensive
• K-selected species thrive in environments near their carrying capacity
• r-selected species have short lifespans.
• How much parental care do r-selected species provide?

  Minimal
• r-selected species thrive in fluctuating or unstable environments
• Arrange the characteristics to compare K-selected and r-selected species:

  1️⃣ Low Reproductive Rate vs. High Reproductive Rate

  2️⃣ Long Lifespan vs. Short Lifespan

  3️⃣ Intensive Parental Care vs. Minimal Parental Care

  4️⃣ Stable Environment vs. Fluctuating Environment

  5️⃣ Large Body Size vs. Small Body Size
• What is the primary characteristic of K-selected species in terms of reproductive rate?

  Low
• K-selected species thrive in environments near their carrying capacity
• r-selected species are adapted to stable environments.

  False
• Match the K-selected species with their habitat and key characteristics:

  African Elephant ↔️ Savanna, grasslands ||| Large size, long lifespan, intense parental care

  Humans ↔️ Various ||| Low reproduction rate, long lifespan, extensive parental care

  Blue Whales ↔️ Oceans ||| Largest animal, long lifespan, low reproduction rate
• What is a characteristic of r-selected species in terms of lifespan?

  Short
• r-selected species are effective colonizers in fluctuating habitats.
• Match the advantages and disadvantages of K-selection:

  Long lifespans ↔️ Slow reproduction rate

  Strong competitive abilities ↔️ High energy investment in offspring

  High parental care ↔️ Vulnerability to environmental changes
• K-selected species thrive in environments near their carrying capacity
• Arrange the characteristics to compare K-selected and r-selected species:

  1️⃣ Low Reproduction vs. High Reproduction

  2️⃣ Long Lifespan vs. Short Lifespan

  3️⃣ Intensive Parental Care vs. Minimal Parental Care

  4️⃣ Stable Environment vs. Fluctuating Environment
• What is a key difference between K-selected and r-selected species in terms of lifespan?

  Long vs. Short
• K-selected species invest heavily in parental care
• r-selected species thrive in stable environments.

  False
• What type of parental care do K-selected species provide?

  Intensive
• An example of a K-selected species is the African Elephant
• Arrange the characteristics of K-selected species in order of their ecological significance:

  1️⃣ Low Reproductive Rate

  2️⃣ Long Lifespan

  3️⃣ Large Size

  4️⃣ Intensive Parental Care
• What is a notable characteristic of humans as a K-selected species?

  Extensive parental care