Answer:
B
Explanation:
A. The population grows exponentially until it approaches 5,000 individuals, and then the population size begins to decrease.
B. The population grows exponentially until it approaches 5,000 individuals, and then its growth rate decreases.
C. The population grows at a constant rate until it approaches 5,000 individuals, and then its growth rate increases.
D. The population grows at a constant rate until it approaches 5,000 individuals, and then the population size remains stable.
<em>The population of the monarch butterfly would grow exponentially until it approaches 5,000 individuals and then its growth rate decreases.</em>
The carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support based on its resources. At the initial stage after the newly introduced butterflies get acclimatized to their new environment, their population would grow exponentially because there would adequate resources in the environment.
<u>As the population size gets close to the carrying capacity, resources become limited and competition sets in. Hence, the population growth slows down until it reaches the carrying capacity and starts to oscillate around it.</u>
The correct option is B.
