Question

white - tailed deer are considered to be an overpopulated species in the central united states. which of these events probably contributed the most to white - tailed deer exceeding their carrying capacity?
○ the water supply in the habitat remained steady
○ a large increase in available grassland
○ a decrease in natural predation of white - tailed deer
○ the occurrence of a genetic mutation that prevented breeding

Explanation:

To determine which event contributed most to white - tailed deer exceeding their carrying capacity, we analyze each option:

1. For the option "the water supply in the habitat remained steady": A steady water supply does not directly lead to an overpopulation. It is a relatively stable factor and does not provide an excess of resources or a reduction in limiting factors that would cause the population to exceed carrying capacity.
2. For the option "a large increase in available grassland": While more grassland (food) can support a larger population, the impact of a decrease in predation (which directly reduces the number of deer dying) is more likely to cause a population to exceed carrying capacity. An increase in food allows for growth, but if predators are still present, the population growth will be limited by predation.
3. For the option "a decrease in natural predation of white - tailed deer": Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals an environment can support. Predation is a density - dependent limiting factor. When the number of predators decreases, the mortality rate of deer due to predation also decreases. This means that more deer will survive and reproduce, and without a corresponding increase in limiting factors (like food or space), the population can grow beyond the carrying capacity.
4. For the option "the occurrence of a genetic mutation that prevented breeding": A mutation that prevents breeding would lead to a decrease in the population, not an overpopulation.

Answer:

C. a decrease in natural predation of white - tailed deer