What You Need to Know.....
SC.912.L.17.5 Analyze how population size is determined by births, deaths, immigration, emigration, and limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) that determine carrying capacity.
Students will use data and information about population dynamics, abiotic factors, and/or biotic factors to explain and/or analyze a change in carrying capacity and its effect on population size in an ecosystem.
Students will explain that different types of organisms exist within aquatic systems due to chemistry, geography, light, depth, salinity, and/or temperature.
Students will describe the potential changes to an ecosystem resulting from seasonal changes, climate changes, and/or succession.
Students will identify positive and/or negative consequences that result from a reduction in biodiversity.
Students will assess the reliability of sources of information according to scientific standards.
Example Questions
The number of pythons found throughout Everglades National Park has increased in recent years. These huge snakes are not native to Florida and are believed to have been released into the wild by pet owners. Wildlife biologists have initiated attempts to capture and remove these pythons. Which statement best explains the biologists’ reason for removing these pythons from the Everglades?
A. The pythons could upset the territorial boundaries of native organisms.
B. The pythons could adapt to overcome diseases common to native snakes.
C. The pythons could prey on native organisms and cause native populations to decline.
D. The pythons could begin to interbreed with native snakes and produce a more successful species.
2. In 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 caused a tsunami impacting the countries of Southeast Asia. Many of the coastal ecosystems, rivers, and estuaries were destroyed and uninhabitable for many organisms. In the aftermath, slow regrowth and recolonization occurred in the destroyed areas. Which of these statements best describes the impact of the tsunami?
A. No more organisms could ever survive there.
B. Primary succession occurred.
C. Secondary succession occurred.
D. A pioneer species was created.
3. How does the predator-prey relationship affect a population?
A. The predators and prey are in competition with each other.
B. Usually either the predator or the prey will become extinct.
C. The predator species usually has exponential growth.
D. The relationship controls the population size of both species.
4. When an environment has reached its carrying capacity for a certain population, which of the following is true?
A. Growth and immigration rate is equal to death and emigration rate.
B. Growth and immigration rate is greater than death and emigration rate.
C. Growth and immigration rate is less than death and emigration rate.
D. Growth rate is exponential.
5. Which of the following is a limiting factor in a population of organisms.
A. reproductive replacement
B. life spans of the members
C. fluctuations in atmospheric temperature
D. availability of food
Answer Key:
1. C - The pythons could prey on native organisms and cause native populations to decline.
2. C - Secondary Succession occured
3. D. The relationship controls the population size of both species. The predators keep the prey population under control and the size of the population of prey limits the amount of predators an ecosystem can support
4. A. Growth and immigration rate is equal to death and emigration rate. Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a species that can exist in a given environment given the resources.
5. D. availability of food The availability of food is a limiting factor in a population of organisms. If there is not enough food, some of the organisms will die and the population will decrease in number.