Board 7
2 point
A study was conducted on the population size of primary consumers observed in the Great
Plains of the United States. The graph below shows changes in their population numbers over
a 7 year period
ndar
300-
OK
3
250-
200
sory
150
100-
dio
50-
slp
year
ОООО
Which statements most likely explains the changes in carrying capacity over this 7 year period?
A new source of prey was introduced between years 3 and 4
The primary consumer populations were depleted between years 0 and 2
A new population of primary consumers emigrated between years 0 and 2
The introduction of a new species of primary consumer occurred between years 3 and 4
9
10

A new source of prey was introduced between years 3 and 4

Explanation:

The correct answer would be that a new source of prey was introduced between years 3 and 4.

The carrying capacity of an environment is defined as the maximum number of individuals of a species the environment can support based on the resources it has.

The population of the primary consumers grew between year 0 and 2 before stabilizing between year 2 and 4. There was a sharp decrease in the population between year 4 and 5 and this can best be explained to be due to the effects of a newly introduced prey in the environment between the years 3 and 4.

a) carbon, hydrogen

b) carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen

c) carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus

d) sugar

e) amino acid

f) nucleotide