What does Ludwig's ratchet predict?

Prepare for the NPTEL Wildlife Ecology Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding of ecology concepts. Get ready for success!

Ludwig's ratchet is a concept primarily used in evolutionary biology and population genetics, which predicts that in small populations, the accumulation of deleterious mutations can lead to irreversible loss of genetic diversity over time. Essentially, as these harmful mutations accumulate, they prevent the population from reverting to a more favorable genetic state, creating a 'ratchet' effect that pushes the population down a path of decline.

Applying this idea to the context of harvesting rates, the prediction of an increasing harvesting rate is reflective of the pressure put on the population. As populations are continuously harvested, particularly those that are small, they might lose genetic diversity and, as a result, become less resilient to environmental changes or continue declines. This situation often results in a necessity to ramp up harvesting efforts to sustain yields, leading to an increased rate of harvesting over time.

In this framework, Ludwig's ratchet serves as a principle underscoring how ecological pressures, such as harvesting, can exert a cumulative effect on population dynamics, driving an increase in the needed rate of harvest to maintain population stability or economic viability. The concept illustrates that as genetic diversity and population strength diminish due to unsustainable practices, the reliance on harvesting may escalate, thereby solidifying the notion of an increasing harvesting rate

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy