In population growth, which phase shows no net growth in the population?

In population growth, which phase shows no net growth in the population?

• A. Stationary phase
• B. Exponential phase
• C. Lag phase
• D. Decline phase

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that population size does not change when births balance deaths. This happens in the stationary phase, where resources become limiting as the population nears carrying capacity. Births occur, but an equal number of individuals die, so the overall population stays roughly the same, with only small fluctuations around a constant level. Earlier phases are about growth: a lag phase where growth is slow while the population adjusts, and an exponential phase where plenty of resources allow rapid growth. The decline phase is when conditions worsen and deaths exceed births, causing the population to shrink.

The key idea is that population size does not change when births balance deaths. This happens in the stationary phase, where resources become limiting as the population nears carrying capacity. Births occur, but an equal number of individuals die, so the overall population stays roughly the same, with only small fluctuations around a constant level. Earlier phases are about growth: a lag phase where growth is slow while the population adjusts, and an exponential phase where plenty of resources allow rapid growth. The decline phase is when conditions worsen and deaths exceed births, causing the population to shrink.