In 1800 sheep were introduced to the island of Tasmania. After a period of expon

Question

In 1800 sheep were introduced to the island of Tasmania. After a period of exponential growth their population has fluctuated around 2 million individuals. After an island-wide hunt of the sheep, the population was reduced to 1 million. If the instantaneous rate of population increase for this year is 38, 500 individuals, what is the sheep's intrinsic rate of natural increase? b) Eventually the population of sheep regrows to 1.8 million. What is the sheep's current instantaneous rate of population increase? c) The figure below shows the relationship between the juvenile survival and population density in the sheep. Explain two factors that could affect the pattern of juvenile survival in the sheep.

Explanation / Answer

dN/dt = rN

where, dN/dt = rate of population increase = (Given) 38,500 sheep

N = population size = 1 million

So, r = intrinsic rate of increase = 38500 * 1/1000000 = 0.038 (Answer to Part ‘a’)

b)

Now, the population grows again to 1.8 million.

So, dN/dt = rN = (0.038*1.8* 106) = 0.0684 * 106 = 68,400 sheeps

c)

Two factors which affect juvenile survival:

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