r selection

r selection Ecology.

1. selection occurring when a population is far below the carrying capacity of an unstable environment: tends to favor individuals that reproduce early, quickly, and in large numbers so as to make use of ephemeral resources and ensure that at least some offspring survive.

Also r-se·lec·tion [ahr-si-lek-shuh n] /ˈɑr sɪˌlɛk ʃən/. Compare K selection. Related formsr-se·lect·ed [ahr-si-lek-tid] /ˈɑr sɪˌlɛk tɪd/, adjective