Question

14.

In 2017, 16 bison were released into Elk Island National Park. Within the next five years, 35 more bison will be released into the 1 200 km2 area. During the study period, it is expected that 45 calves will be born and 13 bison will die or be removed from the study area. What is the expected per capita growth rate of the bison population during this study period? Show all work. Express your answer rounded to two decimal places: ________

Answer 1

The initial population size = 16

The number of bisons added to the area during the time period = 35

The number of calves that were born during the study period = 45

The number of bisons that are expected to die during the study period = 13

so, the final population size = initial size + the added bisons + the new born calves - the bisons that would be dead

= 16 + 35 + 45 -13

= 83

Per capita growth rate = Final population size/initial population size

= 83/16

= 5.19