Write the importance of measuring the size of a population in a habitat or an ecosystem.

Question

a. Write the importance of measuring the size of a population in a habitat or an ecosystem.

b. Explain with the help of an example how the percentage cover is a more meaningful measure of population size than mere numbers.

Answer 1

a. By measuring the size of a population, following can be predicted: 

i. Status of the population in a habitat. 

ii. Outcome of competition with other species. 

iii. Impact of predator or pesticides. 

iv. Increase or decrease of population size.

b. Example: Banyan tree and Parthenium plants. When 1 banyan tree is compared with 100 Parthenium plants, the population of banyan in terms of number is very much low as compared to Parthenium. But in terms of percentage cover or biomass, the banyan provides a much larger cover in comparison to 100 Parthenium plants. Thus, the percentage cover or biomass is a more meaningful measure of population size.