Figure 1.

A graphical determination of the optimal reproductive rate r* when instantaneous mortality m is constant. According to expression (3.2), we seek to maximize [r − mV(x)]/D(r). This is maximized by the r value of the point at which the tangent to the curve D(r) from the point (m V(x),0) and the curve touch. Note that at this point there is the highest net reproductive gain rate (r* − mV; horizontal curly bracket) per damage accumulation (vertical curly bracket). Two cases are shown: mV(x) = 0 and mV(x) = 0.2. Curly brackets refer to the latter case.