Question

We used various mathematical models this semester to discuss patterns of population growth, predation and competition. a. What are two reasons these models are useful? b. What are two shortcomings of the models we used this semester?

Answer 1

Answer- The two types of population growth patterns are exponential growth pattern (J curve) and logistic growth pattern (S curve).

a) These are used to determine maximum harvest for agriculturists, to understand the dynamics environmental conservation. These are also used to understand the spread of diseases, parasites, viruses, etc. The population growth patterns are useful to study when the species become endangered i.e it can track the fragile species , work on it and siezes the decline.

b) The main limitation of exponential growth model is that it considers unlimited availability of resources at all times and also it considers the growth to be constant. Both of these are impossible in the real scenario.

Despite having extensive data and literature, there is always a degree of uncertainty in gathering biological input values and a there can occur a potential error.