NEETZoologyOrganisms and Populations
What alternative measures are suggested for population size when total number is difficult to determine?
Options
- AGenetic diversity or reproductive rate
- BBiomass or percent cover
- CAge distribution or sex ratio
- DMigration patterns or habitat size
Correct answer
B. Biomass or percent cover
Step-by-step solution
Although total number is generally the most appropriate measure of population density, it is in some cases either meaningless or difficult to determine. In an area, if there are 200 carrot grass (Parthenium hysterophorus) plants but only a single huge banyan tree with a large canopy, stating that the population density of banyan is low relative to that of carrot grass amounts to underestimating the enormous role of the Banyan in that community. In such cases, the percent cover or biomass is a more meaningful measur