Which type of strategist typically invests in a few offspring to enhance survival rates?

Study for the IB Environmental Systems and Societies Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The K-strategist is characterized by investing significant resources into raising a smaller number of offspring compared to other reproductive strategies. This approach enhances the chances of survival for each individual offspring, as these parents often provide extensive parental care and nurturing. K-strategists tend to thrive in stable environments where competition for resources can be intense, leading to a strategy that emphasizes quality over quantity in reproduction.

These organisms usually have longer gestation periods, later maturity, and lower reproductive rates, but they also ensure that their young have a better chance of living to adulthood. Examples of K-strategists include elephants, humans, and many other large mammals, which illustrate this strategy through their social structures and investment in their offspring's upbringing.

Other strategies, such as the r-strategist, emphasize high offspring numbers with less investment per individual, catering to different environmental pressures. Understanding these reproductive strategies highlights the diverse adaptations of species to their environments.

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