Question

In the equation $\frac{dN}{dt}=rN\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)$ 'N’ denotes

• A. intrinsic rate of natural increase
• B. population density at time t = 0
• C. population density at time t
• D. carrying capacity

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

A population growing in a habitat with limited resources shows initially a lag phase, followed by phases of increase and decrease and finally the population density reaches the carrying capacity. A plot of N in relation to time (t) results in a sigmoid curve. This type of population growth is called Verhulst- Pearl Logistic Growth as explained by the following equation :
$dN/dt=rN\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)$
Where N = Population density at a time t;
r = Intrinsic rate of natural increase and;
K = Carrying capacity.