Question

The carrying capacity of an ecosystem is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that can be supported on a long-term basis in a given amount of land. For example, the carrying capacity of the Florida Panther may be 50 panthers per 10,000 square kilometers of habitat in the Everglades ecosystem. Which of the following determines the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?
A. the average daily temperature of the ecosystemB. the most limited resources required for survivalC. the number of predators found in the ecosystemD. the amount of disease affecting organisms in the ecosystem

Answer 1

Answer:

B. the most limited resources required for survival

Explanation:

The population and survival of organisms in any ecosystem is usually dependent on the availability of a number of resources, which may include water, food, space, sunlight, and other environmental conditions.  

However, what determines the maximum number of organisms that an ecosystem can adequately cater for or sustain is the most limited resources required for the survival of that organism in that ecosystem. The carrying capacity of an ecosystem is dependent on the most limited resources required for sustenance of that organism

Answer 2

Answer:

B. the most limited resources required for survival

Explanation:

The maximum number of organism that an environment can support is determined by the amount of resources present in the that environment.

Competition for key resources such as food, light and space ensures that only the strong survives in the environment due to natural selection and such, the population is kept around the carrying capacity of the environment.

A is incorrect, the average daily temperature is not a limited resources.

C is incorrect. While the number of predator can affect the population size, they do not work to limit the population size around the environment's carrying capacity.

D is incorrect. Disease is a limiting factor in the population but does not act to limit the population size around the carrying capacity.

The correct option is B.