Ecologists measure population characteristics over several years in a metapopulation of insects.They find that, in Population A, birth rates exceed death rates.In Populations B and C, death rates exceed birth rates.The sizes of Populations A and C remain relatively stable, whereas Population B declines and eventually goes extinct.How could these three populations best be described?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Population A, where birth rates exceed death rates, acts as a source population by potentially providing individuals to other populations. Populations B and C, where death rates exceed birth rates, are sink populations, but Population C remains stable possibly due to immigration from Population A, while Population B declines and goes extinct without sufficient immigration to offset its losses.

Ecologists Measure Population Characteristics Over Several Years in a Metapopulation