Populations that rely on stored resources are likely to overshoot the carrying capacity of the environment and consequently experience a(n)                   . a. demographic momentum; b. cultural carrying capacity; c. decrease in death rates; d. population crash; e. exponential growth

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key concept: Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals an environment can support sustainably. When a population overshoots this limit, it consumes resources faster than they can be replenished.
2. Understand the consequences of overshooting carrying capacity: When a population exceeds the carrying capacity, it initially may continue to grow due to the stored resources, but this is unsustainable in the long term.
3. Analyze the options given: Consider each option and how it relates to the concept of overshooting carrying capacity and its consequences.
4. Link the correct option to the scenario: A population crash typically occurs after a population overshoots its carrying capacity, due to the depletion of resources and subsequent inability to support the oversized population.
5. Eliminate other options: Options such as demographic momentum, cultural carrying capacity, decrease in death rates, and exponential growth do not directly describe the immediate consequence of overshooting carrying capacity, which is a sharp decline in population size, or a population crash.

Key Concepts

Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the habitat. It is influenced by factors such as resource availability, environmental conditions, and interactions with other species. When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, it can lead to resource depletion and negative impacts on the ecosystem.

Population Overshoot

Population overshoot occurs when a population temporarily exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, often due to an abundance of resources or favorable conditions. This can lead to a rapid increase in population size, but it is typically followed by a decline as resources become scarce, resulting in increased competition and mortality rates.

Population Crash

A population crash is a dramatic decline in the size of a population, often following an overshoot of the carrying capacity. This decline can result from resource depletion, increased mortality, and decreased reproduction rates. Population crashes can have significant ecological consequences, affecting not only the species involved but also the broader ecosystem.