A population of rabbits introduced to an island grows rapidly for a few years, and then growth slows and stabilizes. The population becomes stable because:

A) the intrinsic rate of increase has declined.

B) environmental resistance declined.

C) immigration was reduced.

D) the carrying capacity has been reached.

Question

Anabella French

Biology

2 November, 16:12

A population of rabbits introduced to an island grows rapidly for a few years, and then growth slows and stabilizes. The population becomes stable because:

A) the intrinsic rate of increase has declined.

B) environmental resistance declined.

C) immigration was reduced.

D) the carrying capacity has been reached.

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Jaelynn Olsen · Answer 1

The correct answer is D) the carrying capacity has been reached.

Explanation:

The carrying capacity of an ecosystem is determined by the maximum number of individuals of a species it can support indefinitely without significantly depleting the natural resource required for species survivability like food, water, etc.

So when a species is introduced in an area it can grow with the intrinsic rate until the environment reaches its carrying capacity. After carrying capacity has been reached then the number of individuals will not grow further and will become stabilized due to environmental resistance. Therefore the correct answer is D.