What Does the K in K-Strategist Stand For?

[colton4286]

Pop. Ecology r and K strategists please help

Does anyone know what the "K" of k-strategist stands for? I know the "r" in r-strategist stands for rapid but cannot find what the k stands for. Thanks!

 

[kingdomof]

Carrying capacity, I think.

 

[TMM]

r is usually rate.

They each come from the logistic differential equation:

dP/dt = rP/K(K-P), where P is the population. If you know some calculus you can always deduce r and K strategies from this equation. Here, K is clearly carrying capacity, and r is some kind of growth rate.