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Multiple Choice
In an equilibrium population (at its carrying capacity), thousands of eggs and hundreds of tadpoles are produced by a single pair of frogs. On average, about how many offspring per pair will live to reproduce?
A
0
B
10 to 20
C
100
D
more than 100
E
2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of carrying capacity: In ecology, carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably. At carrying capacity, the population size is stable, meaning births and deaths are balanced.
Recognize that in a stable population at carrying capacity, each pair of reproducing adults must, on average, produce enough offspring to replace themselves. This means that each pair of frogs should produce two offspring that survive to adulthood and reproduce.
Consider the high mortality rate in early life stages: Frogs produce thousands of eggs and hundreds of tadpoles, but most do not survive to adulthood due to predation, disease, and other environmental factors.
Calculate the average number of offspring that survive to reproduce: Since the population is stable, only enough offspring to replace the parents will survive. Therefore, on average, two offspring per pair will live to reproduce.
Conclude that in a stable population at carrying capacity, the average number of offspring per pair that survive to reproduce is 2, aligning with the concept of replacement level fertility.