Question

name date block evaluate: carrying capacity application directions: use the graph below to answer questions 25 - 28. 25. what is the carrying capacity of the seal population depicted in the graph above? 26. what year did the seal population reach carrying capacity? 27. why was the seal population able to increase so rapidly between 1975 - 1985? 28. what are some factors that could be responsible for limiting the growth of the seal population?

Explanation:

• Question 25: Carrying capacity is the maximum population size an environment can sustain. In the graph, the dashed line at 7500 represents this value as the population stabilizes around it.
• Question 26: The population reaches carrying capacity when it levels off. From the graph, this occurs around 1990.
• Question 27: Rapid population growth often happens when resources (food, space) are abundant and limiting factors (predators, disease) are minimal.
• Question 28: Limiting factors can be biotic (predators, competition) or abiotic (space, food availability, water quality).

Answer:

1. 7500
2. 1990
3. Abundant resources (e.g., food, space) and few limiting factors (e.g., predators, disease).
4. Biotic factors: predators, competition for food/space. Abiotic factors: limited food/water, poor habitat quality.