Which reproductive strategy is characterized by producing many offspring with low survival rates?

The reproductive strategy characterized by producing many offspring with low survival rates is known as R strategists. This approach is typical of species that thrive in unstable or unpredictable environments, where the focus is on maximizing reproduction to increase the chances that some offspring will survive despite high mortality rates.

R strategists tend to have traits such as a high reproductive rate, small body size, early maturity, and minimal parental care. These organisms invest less energy in each individual offspring. Instead, they produce a large number of offspring in hopes that a few will survive to adulthood and reproduce themselves, which is often necessary in environments where conditions fluctuate and survival is uncertain. Examples of R strategists include many insects, rodents, and certain fish species.

In contrast, K strategists are those that produce fewer offspring but invest significantly more time and resources into nurturing and raising those young, leading to better survival rates. Seasonal breeders and seasonal monogamy refer to specific patterns of reproduction and mating behavior rather than the overall strategy of offspring production and survival.