Question

How can the fitness of an organism be inferred from the intrinsic rate of natural increase 'r'?

Answer 1

Fitness of an organism is directly linked with the 'r' intrinsic rate of natural increase. Intrinsic rate is also known as biotic potential or reproductive potential of an individual. Fitness is defined in terms of number of offspring produced by an individual. Higher the value of "r" higher will be the population growth so fitness will also be high. If an individual is fit only then he is capable of reproducing thereby making the use of its available resources.