Many theoretical studies of evolution are based upon the concepts of the ev
olutionary stable strategy and optimal life-history solutions. An individua
l based model of vegetation is used to simulate life-history evolution unde
r two different sets of environmental conditions. At one level the results
suggest that optimal life-history solutions do appear to evolve. At the end
of the simulations the vegetation that evolved in a fertile and uncut envi
ronment was taller, thinner and germinated later than that which developed
in a less fertile and cut habitat. However, between simulation variation wa
s observed to be high, particularly for the parameter regulating the timing
of reproduction, and it showed no indication of reaching fixation. When th
is trait was prevented from mutating, the variances of other traits were se
en to increase. Although at the population level between simulation variati
on was high, some traits achieved a degree of stability within simulations,
suggesting that multiple adaptive peaks may be being approached. However,
there was little evidence of trait fixation occurring within the most abund
ant 'genotype'. It is considered that frequency dependent selection/Red Que
en dynamics may be acting to prevent the most abundant 'genotype' from reac
hing fixation. It is argued that if such processes prevent optimal genetic
solutions from being achieved then the search for evolutionary stable strat
egies within the evolution of life-histories may be over simplistic.