Download Carrying Capacity

Carrying Capacity
How big can a population get?
Carrying Capacity defined: The maximum number of a given species that can be supported by the ecosystem. It is dependent on availability of resources, how quickly the resources can be replenished, how much each organism needs to survive, etc. Brainstorm: ●
On Island 1 the carrying capacity of moose is 1,500. On Island 2 the carrying capacity of moose is 300. What are some factors that can change and/or determine a carrying capacity? Brainstorm Ideas: Graph 1
1. In what year did the population of organisms reach carrying capacity? Why did you pick this year? 2. Can 1.8 million organisms live in this ecosystem? Explain your answer. 3. Can 1.3 million organisms live in this ecosystem? Explain your answer. Page 1 Graph 2
3-2-1 4. Write down three (3) observations you can make about this graph. ● ● ● 5. What are two (2) analysis statements that you can make after reading this graph? ● ● 6. Come up with a summary statement for this graph (a 5th grader should be able to understand it). Analysis Questions: 7. How many years did the population stay at the first carrying capacity? 8. How many years did the population stay at the second carrying capacity? 9. Which carrying capacity is more stable? Why do you think so? 10. What factors could have caused the change in carrying capacity to change from 200 100? Page 2