Chapter 4 population ecology

Question 1

Carrying capacity

Answer 1

the size of the population that can be supported indefinitely on the available resources and services of that ecosystem

Question 2

explain why the carrying capacity of a population is determined by limiting factors (biotic and abiotic)

Answer 2

availability of abiotic factors and biotic factors dictates how many organisms can live in an ecosystem.

Question 3

discuss the effect of changes within population-limiting factors on the carrying capacity of the ecosystem.

Answer 3

If a population is small and resources are plentiful, a population may grow quickly.

-But over time, because of limiting factors, population growth tends to slow and then stop.