NEETZoologyOrganisms and Populations
When are relative densities sufficient for ecological investigations?
Options
- AWhen absolute densities are impossible to measure
- BWhen populations are genetically homogeneous
- CWhen populations are small and easily counted
- DWhen environmental factors are stable
Correct answer
A. When absolute densities are impossible to measure
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