Final answer:
In the given equation, the variable 'e' signifies the rate at which a local population goes extinct, which is instrumental in calculating population dynamics in ecological studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the equation P = 1 - e / m, the variable 'e' represents the rate of local population extinction. This equation is used to understand population dynamics, particularly in the field of ecology, which studies the relationships of organisms to one another and to their environment. The formula considers various factors like birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration, which all contribute to the growth or decline of a population.
Population growth models, such as the logistic growth model, describe how populations change over time and the parameters that influence this change, including resource limitations and carrying capacity.