In human population ecology, which equation correctly represents the change in population size over a given time interval in terms of births, deaths, immigration, and emigration?

• A. $\Delta N=D+E-B-I$
• B. $\Delta N=B+I-D-E$
• C. $\Delta N=B+D+I+E$
• D. $\Delta N=B-I-D+E$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the change in population size (\( \Delta N \)) over a given time interval depends on four main factors: births (\( B \)), deaths (\( D \)), immigration (\( I \)), and emigration (\( E \)).
2. Recognize that births and immigration add individuals to the population, so they contribute positively to \( \Delta N \).
3. Recognize that deaths and emigration remove individuals from the population, so they contribute negatively to \( \Delta N \).
4. Combine these factors into an equation that sums the positive contributions and subtracts the negative contributions: \[ \Delta N = B + I - D - E \]
5. This equation correctly represents the net change in population size by accounting for all four processes affecting population dynamics.