Question

which of the following best describes the pattern of growth for the elk population from approximately 1999 to 2005, and the reason for that pattern?
choose 1 answer:
a there was no overall population growth because the population had reached the carrying capacity of its environment.
b there was an overall decrease in the size of the population because the population had exceeded the carrying capacity of its environment.
c there was an overall increase in the size of the population because its size was below the carrying capacity of the environment.

Explanation:

Carrying - capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain. If a population reaches its carrying - capacity, growth can stop. If it exceeds, a decrease may occur due to lack of resources. If it is below, growth can happen. In this case, if there is no overall growth, it's likely the population has reached carrying - capacity.

Answer:

A. There was no overall population growth because the population had reached the carrying capacity of its environment.