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Which best describes what is occurring in this population of squirrels?

Number of Squirrels Entering and Leaving a Population after 1 Year
\begin{tabular}{|l|c|}
\hline Cause of change & Number of squirrels \\
\hline Died from predation & 2 \\
\hline Born & 4 \\
\hline Immigration & 10 \\
\hline Left to find food & 3 \\
\hline Died from disease & 8 \\
\hline Left to find a mate & 3 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. Population growth is decreasing.
B. Population growth is increasing.
C. Population growth stays the same.
D. Population reaches carrying capacity.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
To understand what is occurring in this population of squirrels, let's examine the changes to the population step-by-step based on the given data:

1. Born: 4 squirrels
- This adds to the population.

2. Immigration: 10 squirrels
- This also adds to the population.

3. Died from predation: 2 squirrels
- This decreases the population.

4. Died from disease: 8 squirrels
- This further decreases the population.

5. Left to find food: 3 squirrels
- This decreases the population as well.

6. Left to find a mate: 3 squirrels
- This also decreases the population.

Now, let's summarize these changes to find the net change in the population:

- Total squirrels added: Born + Immigration = 4 + 10 = 14 squirrels
- Total squirrels removed: Died from predation + Died from disease + Left to find food + Left to find a mate = 2 + 8 + 3 + 3 = 16 squirrels

Hence, the population change can be found by subtracting the total removed from the total added:

- Net population change: Total added - Total removed = 14 - 16 = -2 squirrels

This means the population decreases by 2 squirrels over the year.

Therefore, the best description of what is occurring in this population of squirrels is:

Population growth is decreasing.

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