Population Ecology Quiz

What is the definition of carrying capacity?

• The total number of species in an ecosystem

• The maximum number of organisms an environment can support

• The average number of offspring per species

• The amount of energy a species needs to survive

Which of the following is a limiting factor?

• Food supply

• Water availability

• Space for shelter

• All of the above

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If a population grows too far above the carrying capacity, what usually happens?

• The population keeps growing forever

• The population decreases because resources run out

• The environment creates more resources

• Nothing happens

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Which graph best shows a population reaching carrying capacity?

• A straight upward line

• A line that goes up, then levels off

• A line that goes down forever

• A line that never changes

An example of a density-dependent factor is:

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A population will experience what outcome when there are not enough resources to support it?

• It will decrease in size.

• It will grow rapidly.

• It will remain unchanged.

• It will become healthier.

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The difference between density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors is:

• Density-dependent factors are influenced by population size, while density-independent factors are not.

• Density-independent factors are influenced by population size, while density-dependent factors are not.

• Both types of factors are always influenced by population size.

• Neither type of factor affects population size.

A population of rabbits increases quickly but then stops growing because of a lack of grass to eat. What is the limiting factor in this situation?

• Lack of grass

• Number of predators

• Amount of sunlight

• Availability of water

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If humans clear a forest for farmland, what might happen to the animals that lived there?

• The animals might lose their habitat and be forced to move or perish.

• The animals will become domesticated by humans.

• The animals will multiply rapidly in the farmland.

• The animals will start building houses like humans.

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A population growth curve that reaches carrying capacity typically looks like which of the following?

• An S-shaped curve that levels off at the top

• A straight line that increases indefinitely

• A U-shaped curve that dips and rises

• A zigzag line with no clear pattern

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