Good job, Shawn. You're either a biologist, or just have the "knack!"
You are absolutely right. My overly simple example is linear, and not all that descriptive of Mother Nature. It's any easy way to make the point to new landowners that just because you stocked 300 bass, you don't necessarily have all 300 of them still alive 5 years later at a large size.
Fishes in general do indeed have that type of "curvilinear" survival that you used. Ecologists call that more of an "L-shaped" mortality curve. Steeper early (high mortality rate), and then more gradual (lower mortality rate) as they get older.
I always wonder if there isn't a little increase in mortality rate near the end sometimes, too. That's hard to study, though. Too few fish left by then.
Anyway, do you want to come and teach my fisheries class for me tomorrow??
Dave
