Question 1. What is the effect of changing lambda (λ) in the discrete model, and r in the continuous model? What is the effect of changing N0 in both models? (2 marks)
When in discrete mode, a change in lambda (λ) will change the growth rate of the species. If λ increases, so does the growth rate and if λ decreases, as will the growth rate. However, the growth rate only increases if the number is above 1. 1 itself indicates no growth and below one is negative growth. The same principle applies to r. However, as apposed to 1, 0 is no growth while below 0 and above 0 is negative and positive growth, respectfully. Figure 1 and 2 show a stable, increasing and decreasing population for both continuous and discrete growth.

Question 2. What are the differences between the discrete and continuous models of population growth? (2 marks)
Discrete growth shows a type of growth in populations that have seasonal breeding seasons (Alstad, 2001). This means the percentage increase can be added after the season to the group. Continuous growth means that the growth of the population is continuously growing without seasons and has overlapping generations. An example of discrete growth is figure 1 and continuous growth in figure 2.

Figure 1
Note that the dots are the changes in population after the previous, this graph could also show horizontal lines from one dot to the point in t matches with the above dot. The vertical line from the horizontal dot and dot further along t show the change in population (Otherwise known as a step graph). This graph shows smoothed lines.

Figure 2
Showing a continuous change in population along the t axis.
Question 3. For what kinds of organisms is each model appropriate? (2 marks)
An example of an organism for discrete model would be a seasonal breeder with non-overlapping generations (Smith & Smith, 2001) such as the Cow or Horse. An