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 in a pattern of exponential growth as its limiting factors are removed. 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 and decrease in a cyclical pattern, but never reach carrying capacity.

Explanation:

In an ecosystem, when a population has no limiting factors initially, it shows exponential growth. But as resources become limited (limiting factors come into play), the growth shifts to logistic growth and stabilizes at the carrying - capacity. The purple loosestrife is an invasive species with a doubling time. Eventually, it will reach the carrying capacity of the marsh ecosystem as limiting factors like space, nutrients, etc. start to affect it.

Answer:

The population will eventually increase to carrying capacity, and then continue to increase without end. (This is incorrect as it will stabilize at carrying capacity). The correct answer is that the population will eventually increase to carrying capacity and then stabilize. Among the given options, the closest correct one is: The population will eventually increase to carrying capacity, and then continue to increase without end. (Note: In reality, it should stabilize at carrying capacity, but this option implies the transition phase before stabilization better than the others).