Survivorship refers to the probability of an individual or a group of individuals of a certain species surviving to a particular age. Type I survivorship, also known as late-loss survivorship, is a pattern where individuals have a high probability of surviving until old age.
As a biologist, I find type I survivorship fascinating because it reflects the life history strategy of species that invest a lot of time and energy in nurturing their offspring and ensuring their survival. This strategy is commonly observed in large mammals, including humans.
When we talk about survivorship, we often use a mathematical concept called the “r value” or the intrinsic rate of natural increase. The r value represents the rate at which a population grows or declines over time. It takes into account both birth rates and death rates.
Let’s dive deeper into the relationship between type I survivorship and the r value. In a species with type I survivorship, the r value is typically low. This is because individuals have a high probability of surviving to reproductive age and producing offspring. Since the birth rate is high and the death rate is low, the population grows slowly.
For example, humans exhibit type I survivorship. We invest a lot of time and resources in raising our children, ensuring their survival, and passing on our genes to the next generation. This leads to a low r value, as our population grows slowly due to the low mortality rate at all ages.
This strategy of type I survivorship and low r value can be advantageous in stable environments where resources are abundant and competition is low. It allows for long lifespans and greater investment in the quality and care of offspring.
However, in changing or unpredictable environments, type I survivorship may not be as advantageous. Species with type I survivorship may face challenges in adapting to new conditions quickly, as they have a slower population growth rate.
In conclusion, type I survivorship is a fascinating life history strategy observed in species that prioritize the survival of their offspring and have a high probability of surviving until old age. The associated low r value reflects the slow population growth rate in such species. While type I survivorship is advantageous in stable environments, it may pose challenges in dynamic environments.