R-Selection versus K-Selection

This is a mental model for thinking through different growth strategies for a population. Coined by Robert MacArthur and E. O. Wilson in 1967.

R-selected species are influenced heavily by intrinsic growth rates ("r"), or the maximum population growth rate, and exhibit large increases followed by large decreases in population numbers.

K-selected species are controlled more by carrying capacity ("K") and tend to display more stable populations.