Final answer:
In polygyny, male competition for territories rich in resources and female mate preference based on those territories are key factors influencing mating tactics. This often results in few dominant males mating with multiple females who control valuable territories, resulting in a resource-based polygynous system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tactics used in polygyny are determined by several factors, including female distribution. When females establish territories that are separate from one another and attract males based on the resources they control, resource-based polygyny is likely operating. In this scenario, multiple males are attracted to a few females who possess the richest territories, and the females benefit by mating with dominant, genetically fit males. This comes, however, at the cost of having little to no male help in caring for the offspring. Examples of polygynous systems include the harem mating structure observed in elephant seals, where an alpha male dominates mating, and the lek system, where males perform displays in a communal courting area for females to choose from, as seen in bird species like the sage grouse and prairie chicken.