K-selected Species: Characteristics and Examples for AP Environmental Science

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌱 Definition: K-selected species thrive in stable environments and are characterized by slow reproduction rates, long lifespans, and high parental investment. They exist close to the carrying capacity ($K$) of their environment.
• 🐢 Key Characteristics:
  • 👶 Few offspring
  • ⏳ Long lifespan
  • 💪 High parental care
  • 📈 Slow maturation
  • ⚖️ Large body size
  • 🌍 Stable environment
• 🐘 Examples: Elephants, whales, humans, and redwood trees are classic examples.
• ⚠️ Vulnerability: K-selected species are particularly vulnerable to extinction due to their low reproductive rates and inability to adapt quickly to changing environmental conditions.
• 🎯 Survival Strategy: Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to offspring. A higher investment in each offspring increases the likelihood of survival.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of K-selected species?
   1. Few offspring
   2. High parental care
   3. Short lifespan
   4. Slow maturation
2. K-selected species are most likely to thrive in which type of environment?
   1. Unstable and rapidly changing
   2. Stable and predictable
   3. Highly polluted
   4. Resource-scarce
3. Which of the following animals is an example of a K-selected species?
   1. Rabbit
   2. Elephant
   3. Mosquito
   4. Dandelion
4. Which of the following best describes the reproductive strategy of K-selected species?
   1. Produce many offspring with little parental care
   2. Produce few offspring with high parental care
   3. Reproduce rapidly in unstable environments
   4. Reproduce asexually
5. What makes K-selected species more vulnerable to extinction?
   1. High reproductive rate
   2. Ability to quickly adapt to change
   3. Low reproductive rate
   4. Small body size
6. Which of the following is a typical lifespan characteristic of K-selected species?
   1. Short lifespan
   2. Medium lifespan
   3. Long lifespan
   4. Lifespan varies greatly
7. Which of the following describes the population size of K-selected species in relation to carrying capacity?
   1. Far below carrying capacity
   2. Well above carrying capacity
   3. Close to carrying capacity
   4. Fluctuates wildly around carrying capacity