Final answer:
K-selected species are adapted to stable environments, exist close to carrying capacity, and exhibit traits of having fewer, larger offspring with substantial parental care, contrasting with r-selected species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding K-selected Species
K-selected species are those adapted to live in stable, predictable environments. They have evolved life history traits that allow them to thrive when close to their environment's carrying capacity. These species commonly have fewer but larger offspring, extended gestation periods, and provide substantial parental care. A K-selected organism will typically invest a significant amount of resources into each offspring to enhance its survival, which often results in a lower birth rate but higher survival rate among the young. This stands in contrast to r-selected species, which are adapted to unstable environments, produce many small offspring, and provide minimal parental care.
Examples of K-selected species include elephants, primates (humans included), and certain plants like oak trees. These species showcase traits such as late maturity, increased longevity, significant parental care, and high competition for resources. Each species' life history strategy is unique and can exhibit characteristics leaning towards either K-selected or r-selected strategies, forming a continuum.