1. What is carrying capacity? 2. How do limiting factors affect carrying capacity?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
icon
Related questions
Question
Read the excerpt below and highlight the answers to the questions.
1.
What is carrying capacity?
2.
How do limiting factors affect carrying capacity?
Carrying Capacity
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.
The population has reached the "carrying capacity" of the ecosystem.
Female cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) are especially fertile, able to give birth to
seven litters a year. While this would suggest areas with cottontail rabbits would be
overrun by them, this isn't the case. Rabbit populations are restricted by factors like food
availability and predation. Due to these limiting factors the rabbit population will only
get so big and that is it's carrying capacity. Carrying capacity can fluctuate depending on
the limiting factors. If there is more predation or little food, then the carrying capacity
will be lower. If there is little predation and abundant food, then the carrying capacity
will be higher because the ecosystem can support a larger population.
Transcribed Image Text:Read the excerpt below and highlight the answers to the questions. 1. What is carrying capacity? 2. How do limiting factors affect carrying capacity? Carrying Capacity 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. The population has reached the "carrying capacity" of the ecosystem. Female cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) are especially fertile, able to give birth to seven litters a year. While this would suggest areas with cottontail rabbits would be overrun by them, this isn't the case. Rabbit populations are restricted by factors like food availability and predation. Due to these limiting factors the rabbit population will only get so big and that is it's carrying capacity. Carrying capacity can fluctuate depending on the limiting factors. If there is more predation or little food, then the carrying capacity will be lower. If there is little predation and abundant food, then the carrying capacity will be higher because the ecosystem can support a larger population.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Ecological interactions
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Biology 2e
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:
9781947172517
Author:
Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:
OpenStax
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9780815344322
Author:
Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:
9781260159363
Author:
Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:
9781260231700
Author:
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:
McGraw Hill Education