Two bird species, one an r-strategist and the other a K-strategist, are near extinction.Intense conservation efforts are undertaken, and both species begin to recover and increase in number.Which, if either, species should increase more quickly, and why?
A) The K-strategist species, because it has a longer life span.
B) The K-strategist species, because it has iteroparous reproduction.
C) The r-strategist species, because it has density-dependent mortality.
D) The r-strategist species, because it likely reaches reproductive age more quickly.
E) Both species should recover at equal speeds because every bird species has the same growth rate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The r-strategist species is expected to increase more quickly because it typically reaches reproductive age faster, allowing for quicker population growth. This is a characteristic of r-strategists, who focus on rapid reproduction and high offspring numbers to exploit less crowded ecological niches.

Two Bird Species, One an R-Strategist and the Other a K-Strategist