Assignment

1.  A particular bird species found in a certain region is subject to typical density-dependent (logistic) population growth.  If the birth rate declines with increasing N according to the function b= -0.003N+3.4 and death rate increases with N according to the function d=.001N + 0.4.  What is the maximum rate of growth,  ‘ rm’ for this population? Find out the carrying capacity of this species, if the initial population size is 1800?

2.  Distinguish between the logistic and exponential models of population growth?

3.  Use the discrete-time logistic model to simulate the population dynamics of a species for 70 generations. You can use, K=100; r = 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2, 2.5; and No= 10.

4.  Let us assume that a rabbit population with a starting size of No= 7 individuals and a rate of increase of r=0.55.  How many generations does it take for the population to reach 20 individuals?  ( e=2.72).  You can repeat this exercise using a K (carrying capacity) of 30.