QQuestionBiology
QuestionBiology
Q^6.2. The rate of plant growth on an island near Isle Royale is such that the carrying capacity of moose on the island is 900 . Currently there are 900 moose present. The environment is stable and free of wolves. One day, 200 additional moose arrive on the island. What is the expected number of moose on the island 30 years later, assuming conditions do not change?
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Answer
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Step 1:: Write down the given information.
The carrying capacity of moose on the island is 900. Currently, there are 900 moose present. Suddenly, 200 more moose arrive on the island. We need to find the expected number of moose on the island 30 years later.
Step 2:: Understand the concept of carrying capacity.
The carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an ecosystem can support without undergoing degradation. In this case, the carrying capacity is 900 moose.
Step 3:: Determine the initial number of moose after 200 more moose arrive.
Initial number of moose = Currently present moose + Additional moose Initial number of moose = 900 + 200 = 1100
Step 4:: Analyze the situation when the number of moose exceeds the carrying capacity.
Since the environment is stable and free of wolves, the moose population will not decrease due to predation. However, when the number of moose exceeds the carrying capacity, the food resources will be depleted, leading to a decrease in the moose population.
Step 5:: Calculate the long-term moose population.
Over time, the moose population will oscillate around the carrying capacity. Since the carrying capacity is 900 moose, the long-term moose population will be close to 900.
Step 6:: Account for the initial excess moose.
Initially, there are 1100 moose, which is 200 more than the carrying capacity. As the moose population oscillates around the carrying capacity, it will take some time for the population to reach the equilibrium point (carrying capacity).
Step 7:: Estimate the number of moose after 30 years.
Since the moose population will oscillate around the carrying capacity, we can expect the population to be close to the carrying capacity after 30 years. However, since there were initially 200 more moose than the carrying capacity, we can expect the population to be slightly below the carrying capacity.
Final Answer
The expected number of moose on the island 30 years later is around 850 - 900.
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