A Population's Carrying Capacity

Question

A population's carrying capacity
A) may change as environmental conditions change.
B) can be accurately calculated using the logistic growth model.
C) generally remains constant over time.
D) increases as the per capita growth rate (r) decreases.
E) can never be exceeded.

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity can be influenced and altered by changes in the environment, such as resource availability or changes in biotic and abiotic factors. It is not a fixed or constant value. The logistic growth model can give an estimate of a population's carrying capacity, but it is not always accurate as it assumes constant conditions and doesn't account for disruptions or fluctuations. The carrying capacity can be exceeded by a population if it surpasses the available resources, but this can lead to consequences such as environmental degradation, resource depletion, and population crashes.