Population Growth and Keystone Species

Front

What is a limiting factor?

Back

Something that causes the growth of a population to decrease.

Front

What type of growth curve shows rapid population increase followed by a plateau?

Back

Logistic growth curve.

Front

What type of growth curve shows continuous and rapid population increase?

Back

Exponential growth curve.

Front

Which keystone species plays a vital role in the health of coastal kelp forests?

Back

Sea otters.

Front

What happens to the hare population if the fox population increases rapidly?

Back

The hare population would decrease.

Front

Define 'carrying capacity' in an ecosystem.

Back

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Front

What is the role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?

Back

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Front

Give an example of a limiting factor in an ecosystem.

Back

Food availability, water supply, or habitat space.

Front

What is the difference between density-dependent and density-independent factors?

Back

Density-dependent factors are influenced by population density (e.g., competition), while density-independent factors affect populations regardless of density (e.g., natural disasters).

Front

How does predation affect population dynamics?

Back

Predation can control the population size of prey species, influencing the overall ecosystem balance.