Intraspecific competition and herbivory by deer are both factors affecting the population growth rate of a bushy plant.Assume the following variables: the per capita growth rate of the bush is 0.1 when population density is very low;c is the rate per individual plant per meter square by which the population rate decreases due to competition;B is the density of plants per meter square;p is the rate by which individual deer reduce the per capita growth rate of the plant;and D is the number of deer.If G is the growth rate of the plants after accounting for intraspecific competition and predation,what is the equation for G?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The equation for G can be derived by subtracting the effects of competition and herbivory from the per capita growth rate of the bush, which is 0.1. The effect of competition is -cB, where B is the density of plants per meter square and c is the rate per individual plant per meter square by which the population rate decreases due to competition. The effect of herbivory by deer is -pD, where D is the number of deer and p is the rate by which individual deer reduce the per capita growth rate of the plant. Therefore, the equation for G is: G = 0.1 - cB - pD.

Intraspecific Competition and Herbivory by Deer Are Both Factors Affecting