Hey this is for AP bio: Explain how a stressful enviroment alters the standard r/k-selection characteristics?

Question

I cannot find the answer anywhere -- help !

Answer 1

In unstable or unpredictable environments r-selection predominates, as the ability to reproduce quickly is crucial, and there is little advantage in adaptations that permit successful competition with other organisms, because the environment is likely to change again.

---if the environment is stressful some organisms produce a lot of offspring and hope a few survive (like dandelions)

k - selectioin is the opposite. if the environment is stable or predictable then k strategists will produce fewer offspring and focus on helping them individually (like humans) rather than just producing a lot and hoping one gets lucky

some species may be r-strategists because they find that their general environment is a stressful one for them