Population Growth & Resource Availability (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define environmental factors.
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Cards in this collection (18)
Define environmental factors.
Environmental factors are the physical, biological, and chemical conditions of an environment that influence population dynamics.
Which resources does population growth depend on?
Population growth depends on the availability of food, water, shelter, and space.
Define density-dependent factor.
A density-dependent factor is a limiting factor whose effect gets stronger as population density increases.
True or False?
Disease is a density-independent limiting factor.
False.
Disease is density-dependent because it spreads more easily in dense populations.
Why can a resource base not support infinite population growth?
Resources are finite, meaning they are limited and can be exhausted.
Define density-independent factor.
A density-independent factor is a limiting factor whose effect is the same regardless of population density.
Density-independent factors, such as weather and natural disasters, are mostly factors.
Density-independent factors, such as weather and natural disasters, are mostly abiotic factors.
What is a major limiting factor for plant and animal populations in deserts?
The availability of water is a major limiting factor for populations in deserts.
True or False?
Resources that regenerate naturally cannot be depleted.
False.
Even regenerating resources can be depleted if used faster than they replenish; for example, excessive logging leads to deforestation.
How does overfishing affect a fishery's resource base?
Overfishing depletes the finite fish populations, threatening ecosystem balance and long-term food security.
How do abundant resources increase population growth?
Abundant resources reduce competition, increase survival rates, and increase reproductive success.
growth is often observed when resources are temporarily plentiful, leading to a J-shaped population curve.
Exponential growth is often observed when resources are temporarily plentiful, leading to a J-shaped population curve.
What happens to an algae population in nutrient-rich waters?
The algae population increases rapidly (an algal bloom) until resources are depleted, then the population collapses.
How can resource abundance cause ecological imbalance in deer populations?
Deer in areas without natural predators can grow excessively, leading to overgrazing and habitat degradation.
How does resource scarcity affect fecundity?
Resource scarcity decreases fecundity, reducing the ability to reproduce due to insufficient food or habitat.
True or False?
Under resource scarcity, a population stabilizes well above its carrying capacity.
False.
Under scarcity, growth slows and stabilizes at or below the carrying capacity, often fluctuating as resources are replenished or further depleted.
How does resource scarcity change population structure?
Stronger individuals or species outcompete weaker ones; for example, deeper-rooted plants outcompete shallow-rooted species for water in drought.
What can long-term resource scarcity lead to if critical resources are not restored?
Long-term scarcity can lead to ecosystem collapse; for example, the collapse of the Easter Island civilization is often attributed to deforestation and unsustainable resource use.
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