R-SELECTED SPECIES

The Opportunists

Generally Speaking:

• Have adaptations that permit them to rapidly increase their numbers.
• Below their carrying capacities for long periods.

Specifically, Based on Study:

• Live in disturbed environments.
• Ecological generalists.
• Have populations that fluctuate rapidly in size.
• Do not compete well against other species
• Are widely distributed.
• Are slow to respond to ecological opportunities but live in wide varieties of environments.
• Are short-lived.
• Have many, relatively small young.
• Have short periods of embryonic development.
• Reach adulthood rapidly
• Small sized adults.
• Invest little or no parental care in young.
• Reproduce once per lifetime.
• Early successional species.

K-SELECTED SPECIES

The Competitors

Generally Speaking:

• Have adaptations that permit them to live in a state of equilibrium.
• Close to carrying capacities for long periods.

Specifically, Based on Study:

• Live in stable environments.
• Ecological specialists.
• Have populations stable in size.
• Compete well against other species.
• Are restricted in distribution and where they can live.
• Take rapid advantage of ecological opportunities but live in specific types of environments.
• Are long-lived.
• Have few, relatively large young.
• Have long periods of embryonic development.
• Reach adulthood slowly.
• Large sized adults.
• Invest intensive parental care in young.
• Reproduce throughout lifetime
• Late successional species.