Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In a closed population, the population density will increase even if the mortality rate is strictly greater than the natality rate. Reason (R): In a closed population, immigration and emigration are zero, so the change in population density depends solely on the difference between births and deaths

Step-by-step solution

Assertion (A) states that population density will increase even if mortality exceeds natality in a closed population. This is incorrect. The equation for population growth is N_ t+1 = N_ t + [(B + I) - (D + E)] . Reason (R) states that in a closed population, immigration ( I ) and emigration ( E ) are zero. This is correct. The equation simplifies to N_ t+1 = N_ t + (B - D) . For the population density to increase ( N_ t+1 > N_ t ), births ( B ) must be greater than deaths ( D ). Therefore, Assertion (A) is false,