Question

California condors (Gymnogyps californicanus) are on the brink of extinction. By 1982, their numbers had dwindled to 22. At that point, all the remaining birds were captured for breeding programs at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the World Center for Birds of Prey, in Idaho. By 1992 the captive population had grown sufficiently to allow releases back into the wild, and in January 2000, there were 53 condors living in California and Arizona and 105 in captivity or nearing release, for a total population of 158. As of December, 2005, the total population was 273, with 59 living wild in Arizona, 18 in Southern California, 13 in Baja California, and 37 in Central California. By July, 2009, there were 180 condors living wild in Arizona, California, and Baha California, and 176 in captivity.

Compare the population growth achieved from 1982 to 2000 with growth from 2000 to 2005 and from 2005 to 2009. Does the population show unbounded growth, or is there evidence of self-limitation? Please explain your answer. (First decide: should you describe this population using a continuous or discrete model?) What assumptions are required to answer this question?

Answer 1

- Clearly this data has countable number of species so this is discrete model where countable number are present.

-And this population is showing unbounded growth as this population is showing no limits i.e. these birds population are increasing with no limits like from 1982 to 2000, 31 numbers increases,From 2000 to 2005, 105 numbers increases while from 2005 to 2009 , 115 birds number increases so there is no limit of their increasing number.

-A graph can help us to understand that which type of growth this is so,by assuming graph one can easily answer.