Populations & Limiting Factors

Front

What is a population in an ecosystem?

Back

A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Front

What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

Back

Limiting factors are environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of a population.

Front

How does an increase in predators affect prey populations?

Back

An increase in predators typically leads to a decrease in prey populations.

Front

What is competition in an ecosystem?

Back

Competition occurs when two or more organisms vie for the same resources, such as food, water, or space.

Front

What are biotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Front

What are abiotic factors?

Back

Abiotic factors are the nonliving components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, and temperature.

Front

What happens to the ecosystem if a key species is removed?

Back

Removing a key species can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and affect many other organisms.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

Front

How does food availability affect population size?

Back

Increased food availability can lead to larger population sizes, while decreased food can limit growth.

Front

What is the relationship between predators and prey?

Back

Predators hunt and eat prey, which helps control prey populations and maintain ecosystem balance.