Question

graph 2 shows the population growth trend after a change to a limiting factor: the amount of habitat available to the mouse. its habitat was cut in half.

1. is this a limiting factor biotic or abiotic

1. how does the carrying capacity of the ecosystem for the white footed mouse respond to the changes in this limiting factor? compare it to the first graph

raph 3
carrying capacity, niche, and population growth of

Explanation:

1. Biotic vs. Abiotic:

• Biotic factors are living or once - living components (e.g., organisms).
• Abiotic factors are non - living (e.g., habitat, temperature). Habitat is non - living, so it's abiotic.

1. Carrying Capacity:

• Carrying capacity (\(K\)) is the maximum population size an ecosystem can sustain.
• If habitat (a resource) is cut in half, the ecosystem can support fewer mice. So, \(K\) decreases compared to the first graph (where habitat was presumably larger).

Answer:

1. Abiotic
2. The carrying capacity of the ecosystem for the white - footed mouse decreases. In the first graph (presumably with more habitat), the carrying capacity was higher (a larger stable population size), and in Graph 2 (with habitat cut in half), the carrying capacity is lower (a smaller stable population size).