Ten breeding pairs of rabbits are introduced
onto an island having no natural predators
and a good supply of water and food. What
will most likely happen to the rabbit population?
1. It will decrease and then increase indefi-
nitely.
2. It will die out due to an increase in the
mutation rate.
3. It will remain constant due to equal birth
and death rates.
4. It will increase exponentially until it exceeds carrying capacity.
the correct answer is 4
the correct answer is 4
4. It will increase exponentially until it exceeds carrying capacity.
The introduction of ten breeding pairs of rabbits with no natural predators and sufficient resources will lead to exponential growth in the rabbit population. Rabbits have a high reproductive rate, with each breeding pair capable of producing multiple litters in a year. As the population increases, the number of breeding adults will also increase, resulting in even more offspring being produced. This positive feedback loop will lead to exponential growth.
However, this exponential growth will eventually reach a point where the resources available on the island, such as food and habitat, become limited. This limit is known as the carrying capacity of the environment. Once the rabbit population exceeds the carrying capacity, there will be competition for resources, scarcity of food, and increased susceptibility to diseases and other factors that may lead to population decline or fluctuations. Therefore, the most likely outcome is that the rabbit population will increase exponentially until it exceeds the carrying capacity of the island.
To analyze what will likely happen to the rabbit population, we can consider their reproduction rate and the availability of resources on the island.
Rabbits are known for their high reproductive capacity, with each pair being able to produce multiple offspring. If there are ten breeding pairs initially introduced, and assuming each pair has an average of six offspring per year, the population will expand rapidly.
In the absence of natural predators and with a good supply of water and food, there are no factors that would limit the growth of the rabbit population. This suggests that option 4, "It will increase exponentially until it exceeds carrying capacity," is the most likely outcome.
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size that an environment can sustain over the long term. While initially, the rabbits may have ample resources to support their growth, as the population increases, competition for resources such as food, water, and space will intensify. Eventually, the carrying capacity of the island will be reached, and the rate of population growth will slow down.
Therefore, the most accurate answer is option 4, "It will increase exponentially until it exceeds carrying capacity."