Final answer:
There are three types of survivorship curves: type I, type II, and type III. They can be used to compare the life histories of different populations and understand how organisms adapt to their environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three basic types of survivorship curves: type I, type II, and type III. Type I curves are characterized by low mortality in early and middle years, with most deaths occurring in older individuals. Type II curves have a relatively constant mortality rate throughout the entire lifespan. Type III curves have high mortality in the early years, but lower mortality for individuals that survive to older ages.
Survivorship curves can be used to compare the life histories of different populations. They provide information about the mortality rates and survival probabilities at different ages. By studying survivorship curves, population ecologists can understand how different organisms adapt to their environments and allocate resources for reproduction and care of offspring.