A population of squirrels on an island has a carrying capacity of 350 individuals. if the maximum rate of increase is 1.0 per individual per year and the population size is 275, determine the population growth rate (round to the nearest whole number.

The formula to calculate this will be: 275 (current population) divided by 350 (carrying capacity) multiplied by 100 to get the percentage population growth rate. So, in symbols:

275 / 350 = 0.79; then 0.79 x 100 = 79%

As a conclusion, the population growth rate defined by 275 individuals is a 79% increase from the maximum carrying capacity of the island, which is 350 individuals.

Given:

carrying capacity = 350 individuals

maximum rate increase is 1.0 per individual per year

population size 275

(350 - 275) / 350 = 75/350 = 0.2143

275 * 0.2143 = 58.9325 or 59

The population growth rate is 59 squirrels per year.