Life Histories

Life histories refer to the sequence of events an organism experiences during its lifetime, including growth, development, reproduction, and survival strategies. It encompasses how and when an organism allocates resources to growth, reproduction, and maintenance, ultimately affecting its lifespan and reproductive success. Different species have varied life histories—some reproduce quickly and die young, while others grow slowly and reproduce over many years. Understanding life histories helps explain how organisms adapt to their environments and the trade-offs they make to maximize their ability to survive and reproduce.