The growth pattern of a population with an annual growth rate of 1.5% to 2.0% is –
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the understanding of population growth patterns, specifically the type of growth that occurs when the annual growth rate is between 1.5% to 2.0%. This range of growth rate is characteristic of populations that are still growing but are approaching a stable growth phase.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
A population with an annual growth rate of 1.5% to 2.0% exhibits **logistic growth**. Logistic growth is a type of growth where the population grows rapidly at first but then slows down as it approaches a carrying capacity. This type of growth is modeled by the logistic growth curve, which has a sigmoidal shape. The growth rate in this phase is exponential, but the rate of increase in the population size slows down as the carrying capacity is approached.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because exponential growth occurs when the population grows at a constant rate over time, which is not the case for a population with a growth rate of 1.5% to 2.0%. Exponential growth is typically seen in populations with a high growth rate, such as in the early stages of growth.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because linear growth occurs when the population grows at a constant rate over time, which is not the case for a population with a growth rate of 1.5% to 2.0%. Linear growth is typically seen in populations with a low growth rate.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because no growth occurs when the population is not increasing or decreasing over time, which is not the case for a population with a growth rate of 1.5% to 2.0%.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key characteristic of logistic growth is that the growth rate slows down as the population approaches its carrying capacity. This is because the available resources become limited, and the population growth is constrained by the availability of these resources.
**Correct Answer: C. Logistic growth.