2 Matrix models 35 Consider a species of rodent with the fol

2. Matrix models (35%). Consider a species of rodent with the following life history characteristics: 1) individuals born in one year have a 50% chance of living to see the next year; 2) and those that live to be 1 year old have a 50% chance of living to be two years old; 3) individuals that are two years old or older have a 90% chance of dying before they see their next birthday; 4) 0-year-olds do not reproduce; 5) 1- year-olds have a fecundity rate of 3; and 6) individuals that are two years old or older have a fecundity rate of 4. a) Write down the projection matrix (10%). b) Is this population increasing or decreasing, and (briefly) how do you know? (5%) What is the stable age distribution? (10%)

Solution