R and K selection

Question 1

What is survivorship

Answer 1

survivorship indicates the chances of survival at different stages of life. It shows both the relationship between populations at birth and death

Question 2

What are the three categories of survivorship

Answer 2

Type 1 - High chance of survival
Type 2 - constant chance of survival through the entire lifespan
Type 3 - Low chance of Survival at every stage of life, increasing with age

Question 3

Describe R selected species

Answer 3

R selected species are those which focus on the growth phase. They will colonise an area quickly and then rapidly die out. R selected species are able to survive in unstable environemtns

Question 4

What are the R selected species referred to

Answer 4

boom and bust species

Question 5

What are the characteristics of R selected species

Answer 5

• Poor competitors
• Small in size so need fewer resources
• Reach reproductive maturity quickly
• Short gestation periods
• Have a high fecundity
• Have minimal parental care

Question 6

What survivorship and R selected species are associated with

Answer 6

Type III survivorship - Low chance of Survival at every stage of life, increasing with age

Question 7

Describe K selected species

Answer 7

K selected species is one that is focused on the stationary phase and reaching carrying capacity. These are more stable and longer living species. K selected species to depend on stable ecosystems

Question 8

What are the characteristics of K selected species

Answer 8

• Good competitors
• Larger in size
• Longer gestation periods
• More parental care
• A longer time to reach sexual maturity
• Low fecundity

Question 9

what survivorship are K selected species associated with

Answer 9

Type I - High chance of survival

Type II - constant chance of survival through the entire lifespan

Question 10

give one example of why a ‘death; phase may start

Answer 10

Limited resources lead to poor health and death in the organism

Question 11

discuss the relationship that exists between the population’s sizes of predators and prey in a stable ecosystem

Answer 11

The higher the prey population means there is more food for the predator to consume, which decreases the prey population and increases predator populations as it is the right condition to reproduce.

If there is a low prey population then they decrease the predator population as there are no food resources for the predators.