Question

question 1-15 which statement best explains an increase in the carrying capacity of a deer population? a predator of the deer has gone extinct due to an increase in poaching. a new housing development has limited the available land for the deer population. the deers ecosystem has been experiencing a severe drought for more than three years. there has been an outbreak of a bacterial infection in the deer population due to a contaminated water source.

Explanation:

Carrying - capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support. When a predator goes extinct, there is less predation pressure on the deer population, allowing more deer to survive and reproduce, thus increasing the carrying - capacity. A new housing development reduces available land (habitat loss), a drought reduces water and food resources, and a bacterial infection reduces the health and survival rate of deer, all of which decrease the carrying - capacity.

Answer:

A. A predator of the deer has gone extinct due to an increase in poaching.