If last year, there were 80 lotus plants in a lake. Then, 16 new lotus plants were added through reproduction and the current population is 96 now. The birth rate of lotus plant is-

0.2 offspring per lotus per year

The correct answer is Option (1) –0.2 offspring per lotus per year

An individual may have births and deaths, but a population has birth rates and death rates. In a population, these rates refer to per capita births and deaths. The rates, hence, expressed are change in numbers (increase or decrease) with respect to members of the population.

To calculate the birth rate of lotus plants, you can use the formula:

Birth Rate = (Change in Population) / (Initial Population)

In this case, the change in population is the new lotus plants added through reproduction, which is 16. The initial population is 80. So,

Birth Rate = (16) / (80) = 0.2

So, the birth rate of lotus plants is: (1) 0.2 offspring per lotus per year