Which of the following characteristics are typically associated with the life history strategy of stress-tolerant (S) species? (A) Shoot morphology – dense canopy (B) Flowering – annual monocarpic (C) Reproductive effort – small (D) Growth rate – rapid (E) Resource allocation to seed production – small
Choose the correct answer from the options below:

Correct option is C

Stress-tolerant species are adapted to harsh environments with limited resources, and they follow specific life history strategies to maximize survival. Let’s analyze each option:
1. (A) Shoot morphology – dense canopy Correct. Stress-tolerant species often develop dense or compact canopies to conserve moisture and protect against harsh environmental conditions.
2. (B) Flowering – annual monocarpic Correct. Some stress-tolerant species may exhibit annual monocarpic flowering (flowering once and dying), especially in environments where survival depends on completing the life cycle quickly before conditions worsen.
3. (C) Reproductive effort – small Correct. Stress-tolerant species invest minimal resources in reproduction because their priority is long-term survival rather than producing many offspring.
4. (D) Growth rate – rapid Correct. In some stress-tolerant species, rapid growth can occur as an adaptive strategy to quickly exploit favorable conditions before they deteriorate.
5. (E) Resource allocation to seed production – small Incorrect. Stress-tolerant species may allocate limited resources to seed production, but this trait is not universally applicable, especially if reproduction needs to occur quickly before the environment becomes unfavorable.
Information Booster 1. Stress-Tolerant Species:
· Thrive in resource-poor environments (e.g., deserts, tundras, and nutrient-deficient soils).
· Focus on survival through adaptive traits like compact growth, limited reproduction, and sometimes rapid flowering.
2. Key Traits:
· Dense Canopy (A): Conserves water and protects against stress.
· Annual Monocarpic (B): Completing the life cycle quickly in harsh conditions.
· Small Reproductive Effort (C): Conserves energy for survival.
· Rapid Growth (D): Quickly exploiting brief favorable conditions.
3. Examples of Stress-Tolerant Species:
· Desert Plants: Cacti and annual wildflowers that complete their life cycle rapidly after rain.
· Alpine Plants: Species that survive in nutrient-poor soils with low temperatures.
Additional Knowledge · Grime’s CSR Model:
· Competitors (C): Adapted to stable, resource-rich environments.
· Stress-Tolerators (S): Adapted to resource-poor or extreme conditions.
· Ruderals (R): Thrive in disturbed environments with rapid growth and reproduction.
· Monocarpic Species: Plants that flower once and die, investing all energy in a single reproductive event.