Question

4. When a field biologist took data at the beginning of the growing season, the average number of plants per plot was 23 plants/m2. Two months later, the average number of plants per plot was 98 plants/m. Assuming the geometric rate of increase calculated above stays constant, what will the population size be at the end of the growing season, which is five months after it began? O 861.93 plants O 32301.23 plants O 0.58 plants 0.02 plants

Answer 1

4) The answer will be 861.93 plants (First option).

Explanation: We know that, Nt = N0$1584136186663_blob.png$t where, Nt = Population at t unit time, N0 = Initial population, t = time in units, $1584136186683_blob.png$= Population growth rate

Given, number of plants in beginning of growing season (N0) = 23/m2, number of plants after two months (Nt+2) = 98/m2

So, 98 = 23 x $\lambda$ 2

So, $\lambda$ = $\sqrt{\frac{98}{23}}$ = 2.0641874 (Up to 7 decimals)

So, population size at the end of growing season (After five months from beginning) (Nt+5) = N0$1584136186663_blob.png$5 = 23 x (2.064)5 = 861.93 (Up to 2 decimals)