Question

which two events could cause the carrying capacity of this ecosystem to move from point b to point a?
a fire caused a reduction in available food and shelter
overhunting of top predator in the area
disease reduces population of competitor
government creates a law that protect area from human activities
introduction of predator

Explanation:

1. Fire causing reduction in food/shelter: A fire destroys resources (food, shelter) needed by organisms, decreasing the ecosystem's ability to support life, so carrying capacity (K) drops from B to A.
2. Introduction of predator: A new predator will hunt prey, reducing prey population and the ecosystem's K as resources for prey (and other species) become limited or the prey population can't sustainably grow to B's level.

• "Overhunting top predator" would increase prey population, raising K (opposite). "Disease reduces competitor" frees resources, increasing K. "Government protection" preserves resources, increasing K.

Answer:

1. A fire caused a reduction in available food and shelter
2. Introduction of predator