Reproductive rate

Definition

Reproductive rate refers to the number of offspring produced per unit time by an individual or population. It is influenced by factors such as fertility, fecundity, and breeding frequency.

Analogy

Think of reproductive rate as a factory production line. The more efficiently the factory produces goods (offspring), with shorter intervals between each production cycle (breeding frequency), the higher the reproductive rate.

Related terms

Fertility: The ability of an individual or population to produce viable offspring.

Fecundity: The potential reproductive capacity of an individual or population, often measured by the number of eggs produced.

Generation time: The average time it takes for individuals in a population to reach reproductive maturity and produce offspring.