Question

Demographic data are collected for a threatened population of African cheetahs over a period of 10 years allowing nine year-to-year estimates of the population growth rate (λ) to be calculated λ₁=1.20, λ₂=1.10, λ₃=0.8, λ₄=0.5, λ₅=1.0, λ₆=1.29, λ₇=1.13, λ₈ =0.76, λ₉=1.07. Over the long term, do you expect this population to grow, remain the same size, or shrink? Provide a quantitative answer and explain your answer. What mechanism might be at play here?

Answer 1

According to the demographic that is collected here for the threatened population of African Cheetah – For the initial four years there was a gradual decline seen and from the fifth year it increased till sixth and again there was a decline with increase in the 9^th year. The graph has not been stagnant over the past few years.

The population might grow over the time because by the 10^th year it is used to the changes and has adapted. It is seen that after a decline the population grows in size for a year or two in consecutive. The mechanism that comes in play is the adaptability to the changing environment and its ability to get more nutrition. As they grow in change, it means they are getting used to the environment and adapting to the changes. It is a constant process of evolution.