The carrying capacity of owls in an Alaskan forest is 8 per square kilometer.What will happen if 12 owls are confined to a 1-square-kilometer area?
A) The owls will survive together and develop ways to share resources.
B) The owls might survive as malnourished adults, but the next generation will have no more than eight individuals.
C) The population of owl prey organisms will increase proportionately.
D) A short-term exponential growth of owls will occur.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The carrying capacity of the Alaskan forest is 8 owls per square kilometer. If 12 owls are confined to a 1-square-kilometer area, the population density will exceed the carrying capacity, resulting in limited resources for the owls. As a result, the owls may survive as malnourished adults, but the next generation will likely have no more than eight individuals. Option A is unlikely as the limited resources may lead to competition and aggression among the owls, rather than sharing resources. Option C is not a direct consequence of the increased owl population, and option D assumes a growth rate that is not feasible in this scenario.

The Carrying Capacity of Owls in an Alaskan Forest Is