Pisaster ochraceus is a starfish predator that balances the ecosystem in intertidal pools. If you wanted to predict the population size of the starfish in six months (n), and you had the growth rate (r), what additional factor would you MOST LIKELY need?
A. Maxima population because you can apply the formula P(n) = Norn
B. Minima population because you can apply the formula P(n) = Norn
C. Final population because you can apply the formula P(n) = Norn
D. Initial population because you can apply the formula P(n) = Norn
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C. Final population because knowing the starting population size alone is not sufficient to accurately predict the population size in six months. Additionally, the maximum or minimum population size would not necessarily be relevant for predicting the population size at a specific future time point. The final population size would give you a better understanding of the overall growth trajectory of the starfish population.
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