Question

carrying capacity
under favorable conditions, the population of a species in any given area will grow. this, of course, cannot go on forever. a limiting factor is anything that prevents a population from growing. limiting factors can be biotic, such as how much prey is available in the area, or abiotic, such as available sunlight or space. over time, limiting factors will determine the carrying capacity of an area. for example, the population of deer may be limited by the amount of hunting in an area, or it might be limited by the number of mature females available.
case study #1
in alaska, grizzly bears must eat 10 fish and drink up to 25 liters of water to live. a local river can provide about 150 fish a day without damaging the fish population.

1. what is the limiting factor for this population?
2. how many bears can this area support?
3. what will happen if the bear population exceeds this number?

case study #2
the amount of space in which a seedling grows determines whether or not that tree will be able to collect enough sunlight, water, and soil nutrients that it needs to live. although many small plants may sprout in a forest, many will die as they are crowded out by more mature trees which block the sun.

1. what are the important resources a seedling needs to live?
2. what is the limiting factor for the population in this study?
3. brainstorm. name another population that might be limited by this same factor. how will it limit their growth?

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the limiting factor for grizzly - bears

Food availability (fish) is the limiting factor as it is stated that the bear needs 10 fish a day and the river can provide 150 fish a day.

Step2: Calculate the number of bears the area can support

The number of bears the area can support is calculated by dividing the total available fish by the fish needed per bear. So, $\frac{150}{10}=15$ bears.

Step3: Analyze the consequence of exceeding the bear - population limit

If the bear population exceeds 15, there will be increased competition for food, leading to starvation and a decline in the bear population.

Step4: Identify important resources for a seedling

As stated, a seedling needs sunlight, water, and soil nutrients to live.

Step5: Determine the limiting factor for the seedling population

The limiting factor for the seedling population is space, as more mature trees block the sun and crowd out the seedlings.

Step6: Brain - storm another population limited by space

Birds in a forest might be limited by space. If there are not enough nesting sites (limited space), it will limit their ability to reproduce and grow their population.

Answer:

1. Food availability
2. 15 bears
3. Increased competition for food, starvation, and decline in the bear population
4. Sunlight, water, soil nutrients
5. Space
6. Birds in a forest; limited nesting sites will limit reproduction and population growth