Question

In conservation biology, which one or more of the following is/are used to calculate the effective population size, \( N_e \)?

• A. the population size required to avoid local extinction in the next 1000 years.
• B. the carrying capacity of the environment.
• C. the sum of the sizes of all connected populations in a metapopulation.
• D. the number of breeding males and females.

Hint:

To calculate \( N_e \), consider:
1. The number of breeding individuals.
2. The sex ratio of the population.
3. Variance in reproductive success among individuals.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding effective population size (\( N_e \)). The effective population size, \( N_e \), represents the number of individuals in a population that contribute to the next generation's gene pool. It is influenced by factors such as the number of breeding individuals, sex ratio, and variation in reproductive success. Step 2: Evaluate the options. Option (A): Incorrect. The population size required to avoid extinction over a given time frame is not directly related to \( N_e \). Option (B): Incorrect. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals the environment can support and does not directly influence \( N_e \). Option (C): Incorrect. While metapopulation size is important in conservation, \( N_e \) is calculated for individual populations and not the sum of all connected populations. Option (D): Correct. The number of breeding males and females directly affects \( N_e \), as it determines the genetic contribution to future generations.