Question
A group of researchers conducted a study to investigate the population dynamics of a certain species of birds in a forest ecosystem. They collected data
A group of researchers conducted a study to investigate the population dynamics of a certain species of birds in a forest ecosystem. They collected data over a span of five years and obtained the following information:
Year 1: Initial population size = 100 birds, Birth rate = 0.8, Death rate = 0.2
Year 2: Initial population size = 120 birds, Birth rate = 0.7, Death rate = 0.3
Year 3: Initial population size = 150 birds, Birth rate = 0.6, Death rate = 0.4
Year 4: Initial population size = 180 birds, Birth rate = 0.5, Death rate = 0.5
Year 5: Initial population size = 200 birds, Birth rate = 0.4, Death rate = 0.6
a) Calculate the net reproductive rate (Ro) for each year. (Hint: Ro is calculated as the difference between the birth rate and death rate.)
b) Determine the annual population growth rate (r) for each year. (Hint: r is calculated using the formula r = ln(Ro), where ln is the natural logarithm.)
c) Based on the calculated population growth rates, classify the population dynamics of the bird species as exponential growth, logistic growth, or decline for each year.
d) Calculate the doubling time (td) for the bird population in each year. (Hint: td is calculated as ln(2) divided by the population growth rate.)
e) Discuss the implications of the population dynamics observed in this study on the bird species' interactions with other organisms in the forest ecosystem, such as predators, competitors, and available resources.
Note: This question requires knowledge of population dynamics, growth rates, and logarithmic calculations in biology. Make sure you are familiar with these concepts before attempting to answer the question.
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