Final answer:
To maintain a stable population of 400 cranes with a natural decline rate of -0.06, we need to stock 24 cranes each year to offset the decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how many sandhill cranes need to be stocked each year to maintain a steady population of 400 cranes, given that the natural rate of population decline is r = -0.06. This is a mathematical problem involving population dynamics and applications of calculus or algebra in environmental science.
To solve this, we can use the equation for population growth Population growth = rN, where 'r' represents the rate of change and 'N' the population size. To maintain a population of 400 with a rate of decline of -0.06, we need to stock the difference between the natural decline and the desired stable population.
Therefore, we'll use the equation:
N = -rP, where 'P' is the stable population size. Substituting the given values, we have:
This results in:
Thus, 24 cranes need to be added each year to offset the natural decline and maintain a steady population of 400 cranes.