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 :

To determine what is happening in this population of squirrels, we need to analyze the number of squirrels entering and leaving the population over a year. Let's look at the provided causes of change and their respective numbers.

Number of squirrels entering the population:
1. Born: 4
2. Immigration: 10

Total entering = 4 (Born) + 10 (Immigration) = 14

Number of squirrels leaving the population:
1. Died from predation: 2
2. Left to find food: 3
3. Died from disease: 8
4. Left to find a mate: 3

Total leaving = 2 (Died from predation) + 3 (Left to find food) + 8 (Died from disease) + 3 (Left to find a mate) = 16

Next, we calculate the net population change:
Net population change = Total entering - Total leaving = 14 - 16 = -2

Since the result is negative, it means the population is decreasing. Therefore, the best description of what is happening in this population of squirrels is:

Population growth is decreasing.