Explain the relation between fertility, fecundity and reproductive span.

Going by the definitions of fertility, fecundity and reproductive span, it is clear that there; is a close relation between each of them. All three factors play a vital role in understanding the dynamics of population.

It is the reproductive span that determines the fertility of a couple and especially of a woman. The reproductive span of a female spouse determines the fertility potential to a great extent. There are various biological and environmental factors which throw light on the relationship between fertility, fecundity and reproductive span. These are described as follows

1. Age of marriage

The age of marriage is a crucial factor that determines fertility. Women are highly fertile in the early period of their reproductive span. Their fecundity starts at menarche and ends at menopause. It continues throughout the reproductive span. When the marriage of a girl and the menarche happens together, she has a good scope for bearing children for the full reproductive span of about 30-35 years

2. Contraception

Various contraceptive methods used by females also establish a relation between fertility, fecundity and reproductive span. The excessive use of contraceptive methods for difference between children or for bearing children according to one's choice reduces the rate of fertility and the reproductive span. Besides, it also affects fecundity among women. The physical capacity of bearing a child also gets reduced with excessive use of contraceptives.

3. Health

The health of a couple also establishes a relation between fertility, fecundity and reproductive span. In the entire reproductive span, the fitness of individuals affects their fecundity and fertility potential. Proper nutrition and proper lifestyle is essential. A woman throughout her life goes through a number of physical, emotional and hormonal changes. An imbalance in diet or an unhealthy lifestyle could lead to various complications that affect fertility and fecundity, such as infertility problems, ovarian failure, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.

4. Environment

Environment plays a significant role in determining the fertility, fecundity and reproductive span of individuals. It has been commonly noted that the puberty sets later among children raised in higher altitudes, and earlier in lower altitude regions. The reproductive span of women is longer in warmer regions than among women in colder regions. Therefore, the fertility and fecundity potential is high among people in warm climates and low among people in colder regions.

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