CARRYING CAPACITY AND BIODIVERSITY

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

Front

Can a population exceed its carrying capacity?

Back

Yes, but it may lead to resource depletion and population decline.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

The variety of species on Earth, including the diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Front

What factors can cause a population to increase?

Back

Increase of food supply, removal of predators, and removal of disease.

Front

What happens to the carrying capacity of prey if the carrying capacity of predators decreases?

Back

The carrying capacity of the prey will increase.

Front

What is a density-dependent factor?

Back

A factor that affects a population's growth based on its density, such as competition for resources.

Front

What is a density-independent factor?

Back

A factor that affects population size regardless of its density, such as natural disasters.

Front

How does habitat destruction affect biodiversity?

Back

It reduces the variety of species and can lead to extinction.

Front

What is the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem stability?

Back

Higher biodiversity generally leads to greater ecosystem stability and resilience.

Front

What role do keystone species play in an ecosystem?

Back

They have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance.