Generalist and Specialist Species, k and r selected species, and survivorship curves

Population Growth Rate

the number of offspring an individual can produce in a given time period, minus the deaths of the individual or its offspring during the same period

Biotic Potential

under ideal conditions with unlimited resources available, every population has a maximum potential for growth

k-selected species

A species with a low intrinsic growth rate that causes the population to increase slowly until it reaches the carrying capacity of the environment

R-selected species

A species that has a high intrinsic growth rate, and their population typically increases rapidly

Die back

a rapid decline in a population due to death

Survivorship curve

A graph that represents the distinct patterns of species survival as a function of age

Type 1 Survivorship Curve

A pattern of survival over the time in which there is high survival throughout most of the life span, but then individuals start to die in large numbers as they approach old age

Type II Survivorship Curve

A pattern of survival over time in which there is a relatively constant decline in survivorship throughout most of the lifespan

Type III Survivorship Curve

A pattern of survival over time in which there is a survivorship early in life with few individuals reaching adulthood