Question

Which of the following is a K-selected species in the ocean and why?

Answer 1

Algae are a k-selected species because they have a very slow growth phase.

Answer 2

The correct answer is the following: option c. Birds are a K-selected species because they have long life spans.

K-selected species are characterized for having populations that fluctuate at or near the carrying capacity of the environment in which they reside. They posses relative stable populations and produce rather a low number of offspring, due to the fact that they have a long gestation period and a slow maturation rate. All k-selected species have long life spans and examples of these species are mammals, birds and large plants. Algae is not considered to be a plant as it does not has roots, stems or leaves.