The graph below shows the relationships of per capita population growth rate (r), fecundity (b) and age at first reproduction `(alpha)` in an animal speies

What is the most important conclusion to be drawn from the graph ?

Options

A. The population growth rate decreases as first reproduction in postponed to a later stage, regardless of fecundity
B. At any `alpha`, the higher the fecundity the higher is the population growth rate achieved
C. As the age at first reproduction is postponed further, the benefits of increasing fecundity on the population growth rate become progressively negligible
D. None of these

Answer

A

Explanation

Fecundity is the reproductive output, usually of an individual or number of offspring produced or the capacity of reproduction . In the given curve, the population growth rate decreases as first reproduction is postponed to a later stage regardless of fecundity.