If changing conditions lead to decreased oxygen levels in the stream, the carrying capacity of the stream for the trout will decrease. Oxygen level in water is therefore a(n) _____________ with respect to the number of trout that a particular stream can support
The answer is limiting factor.😊
The oxygen level in water is a limiting factor with respect to the number of trout that a particular stream can support.
To understand why oxygen level is a limiting factor, we need to explore the concept of carrying capacity. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support over a long period of time. In this case, it represents the maximum number of trout that a particular stream can support.
Trout, like many other fish, require dissolved oxygen in the water to perform essential physiological functions. They extract oxygen from the water through their gills. However, changing conditions in the stream can lead to decreased oxygen levels, which can be detrimental to trout.
If the oxygen level in the stream decreases, it becomes more challenging for trout to extract sufficient oxygen from the water. As a result, their overall health and survival can be compromised. In severe cases, low oxygen levels can even lead to fish kills, where a large number of fish die due to insufficient oxygen.
Therefore, when the oxygen level in a stream decreases, the carrying capacity of the stream for trout decreases, as the stream can now sustain fewer trout compared to when oxygen levels were optimal. This makes oxygen a limiting factor for the number of trout that the stream can support.