Carrying Capacity
Limiting Factors
Predators/Prey
Organization/Carrying Capacity
Symbiosis
100
What do we call the dotted line labeled "D" 
Public
Carrying Capacity
100
What is a "limiting factor"?
Something that limits the species of a population in an ecosystem
100
What is the limiting factor for the lynx?
The hare
100
What is biodiversity?
A big variety of organisms/abiotic factors within an ecosystem
100
Relationship in which both organisms benefit
Mutualism
200
In an ecosystem, what is the carrying capacity?
the maximum number of individuals of a population that the environment can support is the...
200
Give at least 2 examples of a BIOTIC limiting factor.
Disease (bacteria), food availability, predators, etc.
200
If the number of wolves in an area decreases, what may happen to the deer population?
the deer population may increase
200
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?
Biotic factors are living organisms and Abiotic factors are non-living factors in an ecosystem.
200
Relationship in which one individual benefits and the other is harmed
Parasitism
300
Identify a possible limiting factor that can cause the mouse population to reach its carrying capacity. 
Limiting Factors: predators, habitat, competition for resources, disease, water, etc
300
Give at least 2 examples of ABIOTIC limiting factors
drought, severe winter, natural disaster, virus-caused diseases, etc.
300
If the mouse population drops, what will likely happen to the owl population over time?
owl population will likely decrease
300
How can biodiversity stabilize an ecosystem?
When there is a variety of plants and animals, there is a variety of resources available. Food webs will not fall apart at the decrease of a few resources.
300
Relationship in which one individual benefits and the other is unaffected
Commensalism
400
What is the carrying capacity? 
about 250
400
In a forest ecosystem, which of the following is the best example of a limiting factor for a rabbit population?
a. the robin (bird) population
b. amount of grass/flowers available
c. the amount of sunlight
d. rabbits have no limiting factors
b. amount of grass/flowers available
400
This happens to a prey population over time if predators are removed from the ecosystem completely.
the prey population may grow too large (overpopulation)
400
What determines an ecosystem's carrying capacity?
Limiting factors: resources, stable animal/plant populations, variety of life
400
What is an example of parasitism?
Tape worm, flea, tick, etc
500
Which of the following might cause the carrying capacity of this rabbit population to DECREASE?
a. increase in food for a few years
b. fewer predators
c. harsh winters for a few years
d. more resources available in the ecosystem
c. harsh winters for a few years
500
Based on this graph, what is the limiting factor for the hare population? 
the lynx population
(just like what we saw with the ecological pyramids, there are more primary consumers like the hare than there are top predators like the lynx)
500
Why does the predator population lag behind the prey population? (i.e. predators increase AFTER the prey increase) 
The prey is the food for the predator, so the increase in the prey means an increase in food for the predator. So, the predator population can grow.
500
In an ecosystem, what can cause the decrease of a population?
Predation, lack of food supply/water, deforestation, lack of space/habitat
500
What is an example of mutualism?
Clown fish and sea anemone, coral and algae, etc