Ecology: Populations

In an ecosystem, which is NOT a density-
dependent limiting factor?

• competition
• parasitism
• predation
• natural disaster

If a population grows larger than its environmental carrying capacity, then

• death rate may rise.
• death rate may fall significantly.
• birth rate may rise significantly.
• immigration rate may increase.

 What does the term carrying capacity describe?

• The maximum number of birth rates for a population.
• The ability of a population to accept new immigrants.
• The ratio of birth rates to death rates in a population.
• The population size that the environment can sustain.

Any factor in an ecosystem that causes a population’s size to slow or decrease is a ____________ factor.

• growth
• limiting
• carrying
• density dependent

An environmental factor, such as predation, disease, and competition, that depends on the number of members in a population per unit

• dispersion
• density- independent factor
• density- dependent factor
• population growth rate

As a population reaches its carrying capacity, there may be an increase in competition for

• food
• shelter
• mates
• all the above

As a population grows, it will most likely stop growing at what size?

• Growth limit
• Exponential limit
• Carrying Capacity
• It won't stop growing

The carrying capacity of an environment for a particular species at a particular time is determined by the

• number of individuals in the species.
• distribution of the population.
• reproductive potential of the species.
• supply of the most limited resources

Any factor in an ecosystem that causes a population’s size to slow or decrease is a ____________ factor.

• growth
• limiting
• carrying
• density dependent

What point on the graph represents the carrying capacity?

• A
• B
• C
• D