Question

which reflects positive density-dependent population regulation? i. small populations of flowers produce fewer seeds per individual than large populations of flowers. ii. large groups of birds are better able to detect and avoid predators than small groups of birds. iii. the probability that a forest predator will kill a squirrel does not depend on the size of the squirrel population.

Answer 1

Option i, where small populations of flowers produce fewer seeds per individual than large populations of flowers, reflects positive density-dependent population regulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Option i reflects positive density-dependent population regulation. In such instances, as the population density increases, so does the reproductive success of individuals within the population. For instance, when there are more flowers in a population, they produce more seeds per individual, unlike small populations of flowers which produce fewer seeds per individual. This is a positive relationship because the reproductive rate increases as the population density increases, which can lead to increased population growth.

On the other hand, option ii describes a situation where large groups of birds have an advantage in predator detection and avoidance. This scenario is more accurately described as risk dilution or safety in numbers, which can be a form of density-dependent regulation, but it does not directly pertain to changes in reproduction or mortality rates.

Option iii indicates a density-independent interaction, where the probability of a squirrel being predated is unrelated to the population size, thus not reflecting density-dependent regulation.