In 1978,a drought on the Galápagos Islands caused a reduction in the production of seeds that one of the finches,a type of bird,fed upon.This resulted in a decrease from 1,400 to 200 birds.Drought,in this specific situation,
A) should not be considered a factor of the carrying capacity for these birds.
B) was a density-dependent factor affecting population density.
C) was a density-independent factor affecting population density.
D) resulted in a period of negative exponential growth for the bird population.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Drought is a density-independent factor, meaning that it affects the entire population regardless of its size. In this case, the reduction in seeds affected the survival of the birds and resulted in a decrease in population density from 1,400 to 200 birds. However, it cannot be considered a factor of the carrying capacity, as it is not a limiting resource that would determine the maximum population size that can be sustained.

In 1978,a Drought on the Galápagos Islands Caused a Reduction