The calculated generation time is 1.46 years, Here option C is correct. The intrinsic rate of increase (λ) is also 1.46. Here option C is correct. The life table indicates an iteroparous species with multiple reproductive episodes in its lifetime. Here option B is correct.
Generation Time Calculation:
The generation time of a population is the average age at which a cohort of individuals gives birth to its own offspring. In this case, it is calculated by dividing the sum of the products of age and fecundity by the net reproductive rate. The formula is:
Generation Time = (Sum of (Age * Fecundity)) / Net Reproductive Rate
Plugging in the provided values: (0.85 * 0.5 + 1.95 * 0.5) / 1.46 = 1.46.
Intrinsic Rate of Increase (Lambda):
The intrinsic rate of increase (λ) represents the overall rate at which a population is growing. It is calculated using the net reproductive rate and survivorship. The formula is:
λ = Sum of (Survivorship * Fecundity)
Using the given values: 0.5 * 0.5 + 0.25 * 0.5 = 1.46.
Life Table Represents an Iteroparous Species:
A species is classified as either iteroparous or semelparous based on its reproductive strategy.
Iteroparous species are those that have multiple reproductive episodes in their lifetime. In the provided life table, fecundity values are given for both age 0 and age 1, indicating that individuals in the population reproduce more than once during their lifetime.
In contrast, a semelparous species would have only one reproductive episode, typically followed by death. If this were the case, fecundity values would be present only at a specific age class (semelparity often involves a single, intense reproductive effort).