Question

in 1800, ten horses were released on an island. over time, the size of the horse population grew and fluctuated

at what point on the graph is the population of horses at carrying capacity?
a. a
b. b
c. c
d. d

Explanation:

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support. In a population - time graph, when the population reaches carrying capacity, it stabilizes (fluctuates around a relatively constant value). At point D, the horse population shows a relatively stable pattern of small fluctuations around a certain number, indicating that the environment is supporting the population at its carrying capacity. At point A, the population is still growing. At point B, it is a peak (possibly an over - shoot due to lack of limiting factors in the short - term). At point C, the population is decreasing.

Answer:

D. D