Question

3.1.9 - 12.l simon is studying a marsh ecosystem that is being altered by purple loosestrife, an invasive species. simon calculates that the population of the purple loosestrife has been doubling in size every 50 days. how is the purple loosestrife population most likely to change in the future? the population will eventually increase to carrying capacity, and then continue to increase without end. the population will eventually increase and decrease in a cyclical pattern, but never reach carrying capacity. the population will eventually decrease to zero or near zero as native species develop new adaptations. the population will eventually increase in a pattern of logistic growth as limiting factors begin to affect it. the population will eventually increase in a pattern of exponential growth as its limiting factors are removed.

Explanation:

In an ecosystem, when a population has no limiting factors initially (as in the case of an invasive species with its limiting factors removed), it will grow exponentially. However, as the population increases, resources become scarce and other limiting factors come into play, leading to logistic growth until it reaches the carrying - capacity of the environment. The purple loosestrife population will initially grow exponentially due to lack of limiting factors but as it progresses, limiting factors will start to affect it and it will follow a pattern of logistic growth until it reaches the carrying capacity of the marsh ecosystem.

Answer:

The population will eventually increase in a pattern of logistic growth as limiting factors begin to affect it.