Question
White-tailed deer live in forested areas and eat plants. Space is a limiting factor for all organisms. White-tailed deer in a forest ecosystem are using all of the space available in this ecosystem.
If there is a large increase in the amount of plants available in the area for the deer to eat, what will most likely happen to the population of white-tailed deer in this ecosystem?
A.
It will not change because food is not an important factor for population growth in deer.
B.
It will increase at first, but the deer will become overcrowded, causing the population to decrease.
C.
It will increase forever because food is the only important need of an organism.
D.
It will decrease immediately because the deer will stop eating plants and begin feeding on other animals.
If there is a large increase in the amount of plants available in the area for the deer to eat, what will most likely happen to the population of white-tailed deer in this ecosystem?
A.
It will not change because food is not an important factor for population growth in deer.
B.
It will increase at first, but the deer will become overcrowded, causing the population to decrease.
C.
It will increase forever because food is the only important need of an organism.
D.
It will decrease immediately because the deer will stop eating plants and begin feeding on other animals.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The most likely outcome for the population of white-tailed deer in the given scenario is:
**B. It will increase at first, but the deer will become overcrowded, causing the population to decrease.**
When the amount of available food (plants) increases, the population of deer may initially rise due to improved nutrition and higher reproductive rates. However, as the population grows, the limited space and resources will lead to overcrowding, increased competition for food, and possibly increased stress or disease, resulting in a decline in the population over time.
**B. It will increase at first, but the deer will become overcrowded, causing the population to decrease.**
When the amount of available food (plants) increases, the population of deer may initially rise due to improved nutrition and higher reproductive rates. However, as the population grows, the limited space and resources will lead to overcrowding, increased competition for food, and possibly increased stress or disease, resulting in a decline in the population over time.