Question

A population of deer is living in a forest that has reached its carrying capacity — the maximum number of individuals the environment can support. A major natural disaster (such as a wildfire, flood, volcanic eruption, or hurricane) suddenly strikes the area.

As the ecosystem begins to recover over the next several years, select all outcomes that could realistically occur.


The carrying capacity gradually increases as plants regrow and habitats return.

The population rebounds and may eventually reach carrying capacity again.

The carrying capacity stays permanently lower if the habitat was severely altered.

The population grows beyond carrying capacity because disasters boost reproduction.

New species may move into the recovering habitat, affecting future carrying capacity.

Answer 1

Select: 1, 2, 3, and 5.

Brief reasons:
- The carrying capacity gradually increases as plants regrow and habitats return — yes; recovery of vegetation and structure restores resources and space.
- The population rebounds and may eventually reach carrying capacity again — yes; survivors and immigrants can recolonize and recover to whatever the new capacity is.
- The carrying capacity stays permanently lower if the habitat was severely altered — yes; severe or lasting habitat change (soil loss, invasive plants, altered hydrology) can reduce long‑term capacity.
- New species may move into the recovering habitat, affecting future carrying capacity — yes; ecological succession and colonization can change resource availability, competition, and predation, altering capacity.

The statement about the population growing beyond carrying capacity because disasters boost reproduction is misleading. Reproduction can increase after a disturbance due to lower density (leading to a rebound or even a temporary overshoot), but populations cannot sustainably exceed the long‑term carrying capacity — any overshoot is typically short‑term and followed by increased mortality or decline.