The population explosion that occurred shortly after the Opuntia cactus was introduced to Australia is an example of
A) exponential growth.
B) emigration.
C) reduced population density.
D) a native species outcompeting an introduced species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "population explosion" signifies exponential growth, which refers to a rapid increase in the size of a population due to the availability of abundant resources. The introduction of the Opuntia cactus in Australia provided a new food source for herbivores, which led to an increase in their population numbers. As a result, the predator population also increased, leading to a further surge in the herbivore population. This cycle of growth continued until the available resources could no longer sustain the population, resulting in a drastic decrease in their numbers.

The Population Explosion That Occurred Shortly After the Opuntia Cactus