Survivorship is defined as what?

Survivorship refers to the percentage of individuals in a population that can expect to survive to a certain age, often represented in a survivorship curve. This metric is crucial in ecology and conservation biology, as it helps scientists understand population dynamics and species viability.

The measure of survivorship provides insights into species' life histories and reproductive strategies. For instance, species that have high survivorship into older ages often invest more in parenting and care, leading to fewer offspring but higher survival rates for those offspring. In contrast, species with lower survivorship may produce many offspring, but with fewer expected to survive to adulthood.

By focusing on the likelihood of survival to a specific age, researchers can make predictions about population growth trends and assess the health and sustainability of ecosystems. This understanding is crucial for wildlife management and conservation efforts, where knowing which age groups are most vulnerable is pivotal in protecting species from decline.