r-selected species and k-selected species a ee ee ee Opportunist or r-selected species Each species has a characteristic mode of reproduction. At one extreme are species that reproduces early and put most of their energy into reproduction. They Shave many (usually small) offspring each time they reproduce, Spreach reproductive age rapidly have short generation time give their offspring little or no parental care of protection to help them survive, Spare short-lived (usually with a life span of less then a year) Species with this reproductive pattern overcome the massive loss of their offspring by producing so many unprotected young that a few will survive to reproduce many offspring to begin the cycle again, Species with such a capacity fora high intrinsic rate of increase (r) are called r-selected species. Alene, bacteria, rodents, annual plants (such as dandelions) and most inseets are examples. Such species tend fo be opportunists. They reproduce and disperse rapidly when conditions are favorable or when a disturbance opens up a new habitat or niche for invasion, as in the early stages of ecological succession. Changed environmental conditions from disturbances cau allow opportunist species to gain a foothold. However, once established, their populations may crash because of changing or unfavorable environmental conditions or invasion by more competitive species. Therefore, most rselected species or opportunist species go through irregular and unstable boom-burst eyeles in their population size To survive, opportunists must continually invade new areas to compensate for being displaced by more competitive species, eee ee ti = ‘At the other extreme are Competitor or K-seleeted species. These species yput fairly little energy into reproduction. fend to reproduce late in lite have few offspring with long generation times, put most of their energy into nurturing and protecting their young until they reach reproductive age. Typically these offspring Ypdevelop inside their mothers (where they are safe), are fairly large Symature slowly “Bare cared for and protected by one or both parents until they reach reproductive age. ‘This reproductive pattern results in a few big and strong individuals that can compete for resources and reproduce a few young to begin the eycle again. Such species are ealled K-selected species hecause they tend to do well in competitive conditions when their population size is near the carrying capacity (K) of their environment. Their populations typically follow a logistic growth curve. Examples are most large ‘nuammals birds and large and long-lived plants (such as the saguaro cactus, oak trees, redwood trees, and most tropieal cain forest trees). Many K-selected species, especially those with long generation times and low reproductive rates (such as elephant, shark, and ‘hinocroses), are prone to extinction,Most competitor or K-selected species thrive best in ecosystems with fairly constant environmental conditions. In contrast, opportunists thrive in habitats that have experienced disturbances such as a ree falling, a forest fre, or the clearing of a forest or grassland for raising crops. Many organisms have reproductive pattems between the extremes of r-selected species and K-selected species, of they change from one extreme to the other under certain environmental conditions. In agriculture we raise both r-selected species (crops) aud K-selected species (livestock). The reproductive pattern of a species may give it a temporary advantage, but the availability of suitable habitat for individuals of a population in a particular area is what determines its ultimate population size. Regardless of how fast a species can reproduce, there cau be no more dandelions than there is dandelion habitat and no more zebras than there is zebra habitat ina particular area, r-selected species “bMany small offspring Little or no parental care and protection of offspring *bEarly reproductive age “&Most offspring die before reaching reproductive age bSmall adults Adapted to unstable climate and environmental conditions SbHigh population growth rate (-) “Population size fluctuates wildly above and below carrying capacity (K) Generalist niche *BLow ability to compete “bEarly successional species K-selected species “bFewer, larger offspring “bHigh parental care and protection of offspring “bLater reproductive age “Most offspring survive to reproductive age “BLarger adults bAdapted to stable climate and environmental conditi “bLower population growth rate (r) “bPopulation size fairly stable and usually close to carrying capacity (K) “USpecialist niche “bHigh ability to compete BLate successional species Assignment: 1. Why are pest species likely to be extreme r-selected species? Why are many endangered species likely to be extreme K-selected species. 2. Given current environmental conditions, if you had a choice would you rather be an r-strategist or a K-strategist? Explain your answer. What implications does your decision have for your current lifestyle?