Ecology Math

Question 0

Logistic Growth

Answer 0

A population of Caribou exhibit logistic growth. The carrying capacity of the population is 2000 caribou and the rmax of the population is 0.10 caribou/(caribou•year). Calculate the maximum population growth rate for the population if the maximum growth rage occurs when N=K/2. Give your answer to the nearest tenth.

(0.10)(1,000)(2000-1000/2000) = 50 caribou/year

Question 1

Rate

Answer 1

25 see otters are captured at random and marked with a dye or tag and then are released back into the environment. At a later time a second group of otters is captured at random from the population. 10 individuals were marked out of 50 that were captured the second time. Using the mark and recapture formula, estimate the size of the original population.

N (estimated population) = (s)first sample size (n) second sample size/x

(25)(50)/(10) =125 sea otters

Question 2

Biomass

Answer 2

The biomass of a fragmented tropical rain forest is 25% carbon. The biomass increases annually at a rate of 3.5×10 to the fifth kg/hectare. Calculate the mass of carbon accumulated and stored in 10 hectares of this forest in one year. Give your answer to the nearest hundred thousand kg.

(3.5x10^5)(10)(.25) = 8.75x10^5 kg/hectare