Question

1. given this population curve, what type of population growth is being depicted? how do you know? 2. describe the resources available to the population in the graph. 3. estimate the carrying capacity of this deer population’s environment. 4. stretch! a natural disaster wipes out half of the plant population in the area where these deer live. sketch a likely population curve after this natural disaster.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze resource - population relationship

Initially, resources are abundant, allowing population growth. As population nears carrying capacity, resources become limiting.

Step2: Determine carrying capacity

The population stabilizes around 200 on the y - axis, so this is the estimated carrying capacity.

Step3: Sketch post - disaster curve

A natural disaster reducing plant population (a resource for deer) will lower the carrying capacity. The new curve will start at a lower population value (half of the pre - disaster population if deer rely solely on plants) and will level off at a lower carrying capacity.

Answer:

1. Initially, resources are sufficient for population growth, but as the population approaches the carrying capacity, resources become a limiting factor.
2. The carrying capacity is approximately 200.
3. The new population curve will start at a lower population value (assuming deer population is halved due to resource loss) and will approach a lower carrying capacity. A sketch would show a new S - shaped curve starting lower and leveling off lower than the original.