Final answer:
R-selection is associated with species that produce many offspring to ensure some survive to adulthood, often in unpredictable environments, while K-selection is associated with species that produce fewer offspring with more parental investment, common in stable, competitive environments. Fecundity is the potential reproductive capacity of a species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept associated with the reproductive potential of a species is r-selection and K-selection. These are strategies used by different species to optimize their survival and reproductive success under various environmental conditions. R-selected species are those that produce many offspring, with the idea that, although individual offspring have a lower probability of surviving to adulthood, the sheer number of offspring ensures that some will survive to reproduce. This strategy is prevalent in environments where resources are abundant but unpredictable. Conversely, K-selected species produce fewer offspring but invest more energy in the longevity and nurture of these offspring. This strategy is typically observed in stable environments where competition for resources is high. Fecundity is a related concept that refers to the potential reproductive capacity of a species or individual.
In answer to the specific questions provided:
- Multiple reproductive episodes during a species' lifetime are known as iteroparity.
- The reproductive potential of a species is related to its fecundity, which can be manifested as many offspring in r-selected species.
- R-selected and K-selected species utilize different reproductive strategies and the amount of energy they invest in reproduction varies..
- Species that have many offspring at one time are typically r-selected species.