In plant ecology, the C-S-R Triangle theory is a theory of plant strategies developed by J. Philip Grime. The three strategies are competitor (C), stress tolerator (S), and ruderal (R). These strategies each thrive best in a unique combination of either high or low intensities of stress and disturbance.
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Competitors are plant species that thrive in areas of low intensity stress and disturbance and excel in biological competition. These species are able to out compete other plants by most efficiently tapping into available resources. Competitors do this through a combination of favorable characteristics, including rapid growth rate, high productivity (growth in height, lateral spread, and root mass), and high capacity for phenotypic plasticity. This last feature allows competitors to be highly flexible in morphology and adjust the allocation of resources throughout the various parts of the plant as needed over the course of the growing season.
Stress tolerators are plant species that live in areas of high intensity stress and low intensity disturbance. Species that have adapted this strategy generally have slow growth rates, long lived leaves, high rates of nutrient retention, and low phenotypic plasticity. Stress tolerators respond to environmental stresses through physiological variability. These species are often found in stressful environments such as alpine or arid habitats, deep shade, nutrient deficient soils, and areas of extreme pH levels.
Ruderals are plant species that prosper in situations of high intensity disturbance and low intensity stress. These species are fast-growing and rapidly complete their life cycles, and generally produce large amounts of seeds. Plants that have adapted this strategy are often found colonizing recently disturbed land, and are often annuals.
Grime JP. (1979). Plant Strategies and Vegetation Processes. John Wiley & Sons.