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Chapter 4: Problem 3

Differentiate between the terms critical number and carrying capacity.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Critical number is the minimum population size required for a species to survive, whereas carrying capacity is the maximum population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely. They represent different ends of the population size spectrum.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Critical Number

Critical number is an ecological term referring to the minimum population size required for a species to survive in its environment. This can be affected by numerous factors such as food availability, habitat size, and environmental conditions.
02

Definition of Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity, on the other hand, refers to the maximum population size of a particular species that an environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, and other necessities available in the environment.
03

Comparing Critical Number and Carrying Capacity

While these two concepts deal with population size, they represent different ends of the scale. The critical number is the lower limit, below which a species may risk extinction in that particular environment. The carrying capacity is the upper limit, beyond which overpopulation can cause a decline in the population due to factors such as increased competition and resource depletion.

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