Final answer:
Terms related to population ecology, such as carrying capacity, exponential growth, logistic growth, and population crash, correspond to how populations grow and are limited by environmental factors. Exponential growth occurs with ample resources, while logistic growth moderates this when nearing the carrying capacity, and a population crash can follow if the carrying capacity is exceeded.
Step-by-step explanation:
The matching of each term with its definition in the context of population ecology is as follows:
- A. Carrying capacity— Slowing growth at this level (D).
- B. Exponential growth— Growth increases, accelerates, then slows (C).
- C. Logistic growth— Results from an abundance of resources (A).
- D. Population crash— Results from overshooting the maximum (B).
These definitions are tied to the way in which populations grow and respond to their environment. Exponential growth describes how populations can grow rapidly when resources are plentiful. However, as resources become limited, logistic growth occurs, meaning growth slows as the population nears its carrying capacity, which is the maximum number of individuals that the environment can sustain without degradation. If a population exceeds this carrying capacity, it may experience a population crash, where the number of individuals declines sharply due to scarcity of resources and other factors.