Difference Between r Strategist and K Strategist

The key difference between r strategist and K strategist is that the r strategist lives in unstable and unpredictable environments while the K strategist lives in more stable environment. Because of this environmental conditions, the r strategists produce many offspring while the K strategists produce few offsprings. 

Based on the environments they live in, and the stability of these environments, two categories of organisms can be found. They are r and K strategists. This categorization describes the growth and reproductive rates of the organisms as well. r strategist is an organism living in unstable environments. Hence, they undergo rapid reproduction to stabilize themselves. Whereas, K strategist is an organism living in stable environments. Therefore, they are high in population and do not need to undergo rapid reproduction.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is an r Strategist
3. What is a K Strategist
4. Similarities Between r Strategist and K Strategist
5. Side by Side Comparison – r Strategist vs K Strategist in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is an r Strategist?

r Strategist is an organism which lives in unstable environments. This unstable environment is unpredictable since the conditions change rapidly. Due to this unstable nature, the importance of reproduction is vital in these organisms. Therefore, the reproduction rate of these organisms is at an exponential phase and is at a higher rate. Overall these organisms are very vulnerable and weak hence the main intention of the r strategists is to remain survived. During reproduction, these organisms produce a high number of offspring so that they could obtain a higher survival rate of the offspring. Maturation rate of these organisms are very high as they have to be eligible for reproduction at a very young age of their lifespan

Figure 01: r Strategist

r Strategists have shorter life spans and are small in size. They are subjected to predation and have a high mortality rate. The few organisms which belong to this category include salmon, corals, insects and bacteria.

What is a K Strategist?

K Strategist is an organism which lives in more stable environments. They have favourable living environmental conditions. Hence, their survival is much more ensured. These organisms have protection since the environmental changes are predictable. Therefore, these organisms are ready for the living conditions.

Figure 02: K Strategist

Moreover, K strategists are high in population and therefore, do not have the urge to reproduce rapidly. Thus, they do not show an exponential growth rate. K strategists are larger in size and have longer lifespans. They have a low mortality rate, and the rate of being harmed is reduced. Organisms such as the humans and the elephants belong to this category.

What is the Similarity Between r Strategist and K Strategist?

• Both r – strategists and K – strategists are two types of organisms categorized based on the type of environment in which they reside.

What is the Difference Between r Strategist and K Strategist?

The r strategists live in unstable and unpredictable environments hence they produce many offspring while the K strategists live in more stable and predictable environments hence they make few offsprings. This is the key difference between r strategist and K strategist. Bacteria, insects and corals are few examples of r strategists while human, primates, and elephants are few examples of K strategists. One other notable difference between r strategist and K strategist is their sizes. The r strategist is smaller in size while the K strategist is larger. Also, the r strategist shows early maturity and shorter lifespan while the K strategist shows late maturity and longer lifespan.

The below infographic presents more details on the difference between r strategist and K strategist in tabular form.

Summary – r Strategist vs K Strategist

The r and K strategists are two types of organisms categories under the basis of r and K selection. r strategist is the organism living in unstable environments. On the contrary, K strategist lives in stable, predictable environments. Therefore, r strategist reproduces fast in order to ensure its survival. In contrast, K strategist is much more stable hence does not require rapid reproduction rates. This is the difference between r strategist and K strategist.

Reference:

1.“K And r Reproductive Strategies.” Batch Reactors. Available here
2.“r And K Selection.” “Transport”. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.”22744894888″ by John Rusk (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2.”Sri Lanka Elephants”By Anton Croos – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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