A herbivore population has 5000 individuals and the carrying capacity of the habitat is 5000. What is likely to happen to the population?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. It will stay roughly stable
- Step 1: Carrying capacity is the maximum population the habitat can support.
- Step 2: At this level births and deaths are about equal.
Answer
It will stay roughly stable.
Why not the others: It will rise rapidly: the habitat cannot support more. It will fall to zero: there is no reason for extinction. It will double every year: carrying capacity limits growth.
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