1. Survivorship Curves way of measuring rates of evolution
plots number of genera surviving for different times (most still surviving after short time but as time passes members of original sample drop out one by one)
slope of a survivorship curve measures rate of evolution of the group
where group evolves fast, survivorship curve falls rapidly as species unlikely to survive for long
curve is more drawn out for a slowly changing group.

2. K-Strategists Late reproduction Long life span Low mortality rate
Extensive parental care
Greater investment in maintenance and survival of adults
At or near carrying capacity
Examples:
Sharks
Elephants

3. R- strategists Early reproduction Short life span High mortality rate
Little or no parental care
Large investment in producing large numbers of offspring
Below/above carrying capacity
Largely regulated by density-independent factors (esp weather)
Examples:
Bony fish
Grasshoppers
Rats

4. Critical Number
Minimum number of individuals of a species needed to maintain a healthy viable population.
If a population drops below the critical number, the species will most likely go extinct.