“The carrying capacity of this lake equals 250 minnows.”

1. Can less than 250 minnows live in this lake? ___
2. Can more than 250 minnows live in this lake? ____
3. Let’s say that there are 240 minnows in this lake when the amount of resources in this lake decreased, and the carrying capacity drops from 250 to 200 minnows. What will happen to the minnow population? Why will this happen? _______________________________________________________

 

In ecology, carrying capacity refers to the total number of organisms (both plants and animals which a particular habitat can comfortably support without running out/straining on its resources.

Step-by-step explanation

(a)The answer is an absolute Yes, this is because the maximum carrying capacity for this habitat is 250, therefore, any number below the carrying capacity.

(b)Any number of minnows exceeding the 250 carrying capacity will put strain on the available resources. Therefore, the answer is answer is No, resources such as food will be depleted, there will be increased competition for other life supporting factors such as availability of mating partners, breeding hideouts as well as development of other vices as such cannibalism due to depleted resources. This will force migration or increased mortality

(c)As a result of decreased resources and reduced carrying capacity, this means that the extra 40 minnows cannot be supported and must be forced out of the habitat by natural population driving factors such as increased competition. The extra 40 minnows will be therefore naturally displaced out of the habitat in search for life supporting necessities like food, habitat and breeding reasons