AP Environmental Science Flashcards: K Selected And R Selected Species

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on K Selected And R Selected Species, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: How do r-selected species populations typically grow?

Answer: J-shaped exponential growth curve. Rapid initial growth without resource limitations creates J-shaped curve.

Flashcard 2: What is an example of a K-selected species?

Answer: Elephants. Large mammals with long lifespans and extensive parental care.

Flashcard 3: Which type of species typically has larger body size?

Answer: K-selected species. Larger size often correlates with longer development and lifespan.

Flashcard 4: Which type of species is more vulnerable to extinction?

Answer: K-selected species. Slower reproduction and specialization increase extinction risk.

Flashcard 5: Which species type is better suited for climax communities?

Answer: K-selected species. Competitive advantages suit stable, mature ecosystem conditions.

Flashcard 6: What is a survival strategy of r-selected species?

Answer: Maximizing reproduction rate. High reproductive output compensates for environmental uncertainty.

Flashcard 7: Which type of species invests more energy in offspring care?

Answer: K-selected species. Fewer offspring allow for greater parental investment per individual.

Flashcard 8: Which species type is better suited for climax communities?

Answer: K-selected species. Competitive advantages suit stable, mature ecosystem conditions.

Flashcard 9: How do r-selected species populations typically grow?

Answer: J-shaped exponential growth curve. Rapid initial growth without resource limitations creates J-shaped curve.

Flashcard 10: Which type of species has a lower reproductive rate?

Answer: K-selected species. Energy invested in fewer, higher-quality offspring reduces reproductive rate.

Flashcard 11: Which species type is more likely to be affected by density-independent factors?

Answer: r-selected species. Population changes driven by external environmental disturbances.

Flashcard 12: Which species type typically matures quickly?

Answer: r-selected species. Fast maturation maximizes reproductive opportunities in unstable environments.

Flashcard 13: Which type of species invests more energy in offspring care?

Answer: K-selected species. Fewer offspring allow for greater parental investment per individual.

Flashcard 14: What is a defining trait of r-selected species?

Answer: High reproductive rates and short gestation. r-selected species prioritize rapid reproduction for population growth.

Flashcard 15: Which type of species is more likely to exhibit territorial behavior?

Answer: K-selected species. Territory defense secures resources for fewer, well-cared offspring.

Flashcard 16: Which type of species has a lower reproductive rate?

Answer: K-selected species. Energy invested in fewer, higher-quality offspring reduces reproductive rate.

Flashcard 17: Which type of species is more likely to exhibit territorial behavior?

Answer: K-selected species. Territory defense secures resources for fewer, well-cared offspring.

Flashcard 18: Which species type is more likely to be affected by density-dependent factors?

Answer: K-selected species. Population regulation responds to resource availability and competition.

Flashcard 19: Which species type is more likely to colonize new habitats?

Answer: r-selected species. High reproductive rates enable rapid dispersal and establishment.

Flashcard 20: Which species type has typically more offspring per reproductive event?

Answer: r-selected species. High fecundity maximizes reproductive output per breeding cycle.

Flashcard 21: Which type of species is more likely to have high mortality rates?

Answer: r-selected species. High reproductive rates compensate for increased mortality risk.

Flashcard 22: What is the typical population size trend for r-selected species?

Answer: Fluctuates widely. Boom-and-bust cycles create dramatic population changes.

Flashcard 23: What is a common reproductive strategy for r-selected species?

Answer: Producing many small offspring. Quantity strategy compensates for high offspring mortality rates.

Flashcard 24: Identify a factor limiting K-selected species' population growth.

Answer: Carrying capacity of the environment. Population stabilizes near maximum sustainable population size.

Flashcard 25: Which type of species is more likely to be invasive?

Answer: r-selected species. Rapid reproduction enables quick establishment in new habitats.

Flashcard 26: Which species type often experiences boom-and-bust population cycles?

Answer: r-selected species. High reproductive rates cause rapid population increases and crashes.

Flashcard 27: Which species type typically matures quickly?

Answer: r-selected species. Fast maturation maximizes reproductive opportunities in unstable environments.

Flashcard 28: In which type of environment do K-selected species excel?

Answer: Stable environments. Competitive advantages matter more in predictable, resource-limited environments.

Flashcard 29: What is a life history trait of r-selected species?

Answer: Short lifespan. Fast turnover maximizes reproductive output in limited time.

Flashcard 30: Identify a habitat where r-selected species thrive.

Answer: Unstable or unpredictable environments. Rapid reproduction helps exploit temporary resources and opportunities.

Flashcard 31: What is a key characteristic of K-selected species?

Answer: Long gestation periods and fewer offspring. K-selected species prioritize quality over quantity in reproduction.

Flashcard 32: Which type of species is more likely to be an apex predator?

Answer: K-selected species. Large size and competitive ability suit top predator roles.

Flashcard 33: Which species type is more likely to colonize new habitats?

Answer: r-selected species. High reproductive rates enable rapid dispersal and establishment.

Flashcard 34: What is a common reproductive strategy for K-selected species?

Answer: Producing few, well-cared-for offspring. Quality strategy invests heavily in each offspring's survival.

Flashcard 35: What is the reproductive strategy of equilibrium species?

Answer: K-selected strategy. Equilibrium species maintain stable populations near carrying capacity.

Flashcard 36: Which type of species is more likely to be invasive?

Answer: r-selected species. Rapid reproduction enables quick establishment in new habitats.

Flashcard 37: How do K-selected species populations typically grow?

Answer: S-shaped logistic growth curve. Population growth slows as it approaches carrying capacity limits.

Flashcard 38: What is a survival strategy of r-selected species?

Answer: Maximizing reproduction rate. High reproductive output compensates for environmental uncertainty.

Flashcard 39: Identify a factor limiting K-selected species' population growth.

Answer: Carrying capacity of the environment. Population stabilizes near maximum sustainable population size.

Flashcard 40: Which species type has typically more offspring per reproductive event?

Answer: r-selected species. High fecundity maximizes reproductive output per breeding cycle.

Flashcard 41: Identify a habitat where r-selected species thrive.

Answer: Unstable or unpredictable environments. Rapid reproduction helps exploit temporary resources and opportunities.

Flashcard 42: What is a survival strategy of K-selected species?

Answer: Investing in offspring quality. Parental investment increases individual offspring survival and fitness.

Flashcard 43: What is a life history trait of r-selected species?

Answer: Short lifespan. Fast turnover maximizes reproductive output in limited time.

Flashcard 44: Which type of species is more likely to be an apex predator?

Answer: K-selected species. Large size and competitive ability suit top predator roles.

Flashcard 45: Which type of species is more adaptable to changing environments?

Answer: r-selected species. High reproductive rates allow quick response to environmental changes.

Flashcard 46: Which species type typically has a longer lifespan?

Answer: K-selected species. Lower mortality rates and investment in survival extend lifespan.

Flashcard 47: What is the typical population size trend for r-selected species?

Answer: Fluctuates widely. Boom-and-bust cycles create dramatic population changes.

Flashcard 48: What is the typical population size trend for K-selected species?

Answer: Stable near carrying capacity. Populations remain close to maximum sustainable levels.

Flashcard 49: Which species type is more likely to be affected by density-independent factors?

Answer: r-selected species. Population changes driven by external environmental disturbances.

Flashcard 50: Which type of species is more competitive for resources?

Answer: K-selected species. Better ability to compete for limited resources in stable environments.

Flashcard 51: Which type of species is more likely to have parental care?

Answer: K-selected species. Investment in fewer offspring allows for extensive parental care.

Flashcard 52: In which type of environment do K-selected species excel?

Answer: Stable environments. Competitive advantages matter more in predictable, resource-limited environments.

Flashcard 53: What is an example of a K-selected species?

Answer: Elephants. Large mammals with long lifespans and extensive parental care.

Flashcard 54: Which type of species typically has larger body size?

Answer: K-selected species. Larger size often correlates with longer development and lifespan.

Flashcard 55: Which type of species is more vulnerable to extinction?

Answer: K-selected species. Slower reproduction and specialization increase extinction risk.

Flashcard 56: What is a life history trait of K-selected species?

Answer: Long lifespan. Extended lifespan allows for repeated reproductive opportunities.

Flashcard 57: What is a key characteristic of K-selected species?

Answer: Long gestation periods and fewer offspring. K-selected species prioritize quality over quantity in reproduction.

Flashcard 58: Which species type is better suited for pioneer stages of succession?

Answer: r-selected species. Rapid colonization ability suits early succession environments.

Flashcard 59: What is the typical population size trend for K-selected species?

Answer: Stable near carrying capacity. Populations remain close to maximum sustainable levels.

Flashcard 60: Which type of species is more likely to have high mortality rates?

Answer: r-selected species. High reproductive rates compensate for increased mortality risk.

Flashcard 61: What is a common reproductive strategy for K-selected species?

Answer: Producing few, well-cared-for offspring. Quality strategy invests heavily in each offspring's survival.

Flashcard 62: Which type of species is more adaptable to changing environments?

Answer: r-selected species. High reproductive rates allow quick response to environmental changes.

Flashcard 63: Which type of species is more competitive for resources?

Answer: K-selected species. Better ability to compete for limited resources in stable environments.

Flashcard 64: Which type of species has a higher chance of offspring survival?

Answer: K-selected species. Intensive parental care increases individual offspring survival rates.

Flashcard 65: What is a defining trait of r-selected species?

Answer: High reproductive rates and short gestation. r-selected species prioritize rapid reproduction for population growth.

Flashcard 66: What is an example of an r-selected species?

Answer: Mice. Small mammals with rapid reproduction and short generation times.

Flashcard 67: What is a common reproductive strategy for r-selected species?

Answer: Producing many small offspring. Quantity strategy compensates for high offspring mortality rates.

Flashcard 68: What is a life history trait of K-selected species?

Answer: Long lifespan. Extended lifespan allows for repeated reproductive opportunities.

Flashcard 69: What is a survival strategy of K-selected species?

Answer: Investing in offspring quality. Parental investment increases individual offspring survival and fitness.

Flashcard 70: Which species type typically has a longer lifespan?

Answer: K-selected species. Lower mortality rates and investment in survival extend lifespan.

Flashcard 71: How do K-selected species populations typically grow?

Answer: S-shaped logistic growth curve. Population growth slows as it approaches carrying capacity limits.

Flashcard 72: Which species type is more likely to be affected by density-dependent factors?

Answer: K-selected species. Population regulation responds to resource availability and competition.

Flashcard 73: What is the reproductive strategy of opportunistic species?

Answer: r-selected strategy. Opportunistic species exploit temporary resource availability rapidly.

Flashcard 74: Which species type is better suited for pioneer stages of succession?

Answer: r-selected species. Rapid colonization ability suits early succession environments.

Flashcard 75: What is the reproductive strategy of equilibrium species?

Answer: K-selected strategy. Equilibrium species maintain stable populations near carrying capacity.