R vs K Selected Species

Biotic Potential

maximum potential growth rate, with no limiting resources

also called intrinsic rate of increase

exponential growth

Logistic Growth

initially rapid growth, then limiting facors limit population to carrying capacity

Most species aren’t strictly R or K

true

Body Size

K - large

R - small

Offspring

K - few, more than once

R - many, often once

Parental Care

K - long time & lots of energy

R - minimal / none

Time to Mature

K - long

R - little

Life Span

K - long

R - short

Competition for Habitats

K - high comp.

R - low comp.

Impact of Invasion Species

K - high impact

R - low impact

Additional Info

K - thrives in stable environments

R - good at invading new habitats

K Species

tortoise, elephant, sequoia, human

R Species

mouse, rabbit, weeds, bacteria

K-Selected

low biotic potential, hard for populations for recover after a disturbance

high parental care means death of parent = death of offspring

less likely to adapt and more likely to go extinct

R-Selected

high biotic potential, more rapid population recovery after disturbance

low parental care means death of parent doesn’t impact offspring

larger population & faster generation time = higher chance of adaptation and lower chance of extinction