Carrying Capacity and Predator Prey

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably without degrading the habitat.

Front

How does the predator-prey relationship affect population dynamics?

Back

Predator populations typically lag behind prey populations because an increase in predators leads to a decrease in prey.

Front

What happens to the carrying capacity if food resources increase?

Back

The carrying capacity increases.

Front

What is one factor that can increase the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

Back

An increase in available food.

Front

What occurs when a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

Back

The population starts to die off due to resource depletion.

Front

Define 'predator'.

Back

An organism that hunts and consumes other organisms for food.

Front

Define 'prey'.

Back

An organism that is hunted and consumed by predators.

Front

What is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

Back

A resource or condition that limits the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population.

Front

Give an example of a density-dependent factor affecting population size.

Back

Food availability, which can limit population growth as it becomes scarce.

Front

Give an example of a density-independent factor affecting population size.

Back

Natural disasters, such as floods or wildfires, that impact populations regardless of their density.