Which of the following human traits are typical of K-strategists?

Study for the Environmental Science (ENVS) Test. Review flashcards, multiple choice questions, and get hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam with confidence!

K-strategists are organisms that typically exhibit specific reproductive strategies, particularly in relation to their environments and population dynamics. One of the hallmark traits of K-strategists is their investment in parental care. This long-duration parental care is essential for ensuring the survival of a smaller number of offspring, which are usually born in a relatively advanced developmental stage compared to those of r-strategists.

By providing substantial parental care, K-strategists enhance the chances of survival and successful development of their young. This care can involve feeding, protection from predators, teaching necessary skills, and a longer period of dependency, allowing the offspring to mature into well-developed individuals capable of surviving in their environment.

In contrast, r-strategists prioritize rapid population growth and producing large numbers of offspring with minimal investment in each, which is why traits associated with rapid growth and short parental investment are not typical of K-strategists. K-strategists thrive in stable environments where competition for resources is prominent, thus they are typically better at outcompeting other organisms rather than merely relocating. Hence, the characteristic of long-duration parental care is what distinctly defines K-strategists.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy