Question

bears in alaska

1. in which year did the bears overshoot their carrying capacity?
2. the red line represents the actual bear population, while the blue line shows the predicted population. why doesnt the actual bear population ever match the exact carrying capacity?
3. what would happen to the carrying capacity and bear population if there were an abundance of fish in the river one year?
4. what would happen to the carrying capacity and bear population if suddenly the forest was cut down and a shopping mall built on the bears breeding grounds? what is the new limiting factor in this situation?

Explanation:

1. By observing the graph, the population exceeds the carrying - capacity curve in 2020.
2. In nature, there are many variables such as food availability, predation, and disease. These fluctuations cause the actual population to vary around the carrying capacity rather than match it exactly.
3. An abundance of fish (a food source) would increase the carrying capacity as there is more food available. The bear population would likely increase in response to the increased food supply in the short - term.
4. Cutting down the forest and building a shopping mall on the breeding grounds would decrease the carrying capacity due to loss of habitat. The new limiting factor is the loss of suitable breeding and living space for the bears.

Answer:

1. 2020
2. There are natural fluctuations and variables like food availability, predation, and disease.
3. Carrying capacity would increase, bear population would likely increase in the short - term.
4. Carrying capacity would decrease. The new limiting factor is loss of habitat.