Fecundity
The reproductive rate of an organism—the number of offspring produced per individual per unit time. A key component of population growth.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"...ports**: Atlantic salmon iteroparity; multiple spawning events (2-4 times over lifetime); post-spawning survival and ocean return; lower per-spawning fecundity (1,500-2,500 eggs) but higher lifetime reproductive output (6,000-10,000 eggs); comparison with Pacific salmon semelparous strategy. Hendry, Andrew ..."
"...005): 1239–1241. Quantifies extinction risk factors in mammals: small geographic range, low population density, slow life history (late maturity, low fecundity), and habitat specialization all increase vulnerability. [PAYWALL] Allee Effects and Population Collapse **Stephens, Philip A., and William J."
Biological Context
High fecundity species (like fish producing millions of eggs) typically have low offspring survival. Low fecundity species (like elephants) invest heavily in each offspring. Life history strategies balance fecundity against offspring survival and parental investment.