Exploring Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity in Ecosystems

The video tutorial explains limiting factors and carrying capacity in ecosystems. Limiting factors, such as food, water, and shelter, restrict population growth. Carrying capacity is the maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain. Overpopulation can damage the environment and reduce carrying capacity. Examples include robins needing mature trees for nesting and deer over-browsing in winter.

What is a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

• A condition that allows unlimited growth of a species

• A condition that limits the growth of a species

• A factor that has no impact on population growth

• A factor that increases the population indefinitely

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Which of the following is NOT a limiting factor for population growth?

• Shelter

• Unlimited resources

• Water availability

• Food supply

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Why do populations create more offspring than the environment can handle?

• To decrease competition for resources

• To reduce the number of predators

• To ensure survival despite limiting factors

• To increase the carrying capacity

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Which of the following is an abiotic limiting factor?

• Breeding sites

• Weather conditions

• Food supply

• Predators

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What is the primary limiting factor for plants at the bottom of a forest?

• Sunlight

• Nutrients

• Space

• Water

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What does carrying capacity refer to?

• The amount of food available in an ecosystem

• The total number of species in an ecosystem

• The number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can support

• The maximum number of offspring a species can produce

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In the example of robins, what was the limiting factor in the newly built subdivision?

• Food supply

• Water availability

• Predators

• Mature trees for nesting

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What happens if a population exceeds its carrying capacity?

• The environment remains unaffected

• The carrying capacity increases

• The environment may be damaged, reducing future carrying capacity

• The population continues to grow indefinitely

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How can overpopulation of elk or deer affect their environment?

• It decreases the number of predators

• It has no impact on the environment

• It leads to over-browsing and reduces future food availability

• It increases the carrying capacity

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What are biotic limiting factors?

• Food systems and predators

• Weather and water

• Soil and minerals

• Sunlight and temperature

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