Question

the carrying capacity of a biological species in an environment is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment. what factors would increase a carrying capacity for a population?
i. habitat loss
ii. increase in food sources
iii. access to clean water
iv. increase in competition
v. increase in diseases
a ii and iii
b iii and iv
c i, ii, and v
d ii, iv, and v

Explanation:

Carrying capacity is the maximum population size an environment can sustain. Habitat loss (I) reduces living space, decreasing carrying capacity. An increase in food sources (II) provides more resources, increasing it. Access to clean water (III) is essential for survival, so it increases carrying capacity. An increase in competition (IV) means more struggle for resources, reducing it. Increase in diseases (V) harms the population, reducing carrying capacity. Only II (more food) and III (clean water) are positive factors.

Answer:

A. II and III