Question

for example, the population growth of bluebirds during breeding season is usually limited more by available nesting sites than by food. if invasive house sparrows claim more nesting sites, then the carrying capacity for bluebirds could decrease, even as food is plentiful. but if pesticides kill most of the insects that bluebirds prey on, then food could become more limiting and cause the carrying capacity to further decrease. bluebird at a nesting site imagine a population of deer living in a forest. predict what is most likely to happen to the carrying capacity for the deer population in each scenario. | | carrying capacity increases | carrying capacity decreases | | available food decreases. | | | | a drought ends. | | | | part of the forest is cut down and replaced with fenced - in pastures. | | |

Explanation:

1. Available food decreases: Food is a limiting factor for deer. Less food means the environment can support fewer deer, so carrying capacity decreases.
2. A drought ends: Drought limits resources like water and food. When it ends, resources (e.g., plants grow, water is available) increase, so the environment can support more deer, carrying capacity increases.
3. Part of the forest is cut down and replaced with fenced - in pastures: Deer live in forests; reducing forest area and changing habitat to pastures (which may not suit deer as well) reduces available living space and resources, so carrying capacity decreases.

Answer:

• Available food decreases: Carrying capacity decreases (select the circle under "Carrying capacity decreases").
• A drought ends: Carrying capacity increases (select the circle under "Carrying capacity increases").
• Part of the forest is cut down and replaced with fenced - in pastures: Carrying capacity decreases (select the circle under "Carrying capacity decreases").