Question
How does predation affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?
Question 22 options:
It has no effect on the carrying capacity
It increases the carrying capacity by reducing competition among prey species
It decreases the carrying capacity by limiting the numbers of prey species
It increases the carrying capacity by providing more resources to prey species
Question 22 options:
It has no effect on the carrying capacity
It increases the carrying capacity by reducing competition among prey species
It decreases the carrying capacity by limiting the numbers of prey species
It increases the carrying capacity by providing more resources to prey species
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is:
**It decreases the carrying capacity by limiting the numbers of prey species.**
Predation can reduce the overall populations of prey species, thereby affecting their ability to thrive in an ecosystem. When predation is significant, it can lead to a decrease in the prey population, which in turn might lower the carrying capacity of the ecosystem for those prey species. This is because carrying capacity is defined as the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support.
**It decreases the carrying capacity by limiting the numbers of prey species.**
Predation can reduce the overall populations of prey species, thereby affecting their ability to thrive in an ecosystem. When predation is significant, it can lead to a decrease in the prey population, which in turn might lower the carrying capacity of the ecosystem for those prey species. This is because carrying capacity is defined as the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support.