Question

If wolves had not been introduced, would the deer population have been able to grow at the same rate forever?

Responses
a) Yes, the deer population would have grown quickly forever because nothing else limits population other than predators.
b) Yes, the deer population would have grown quickly forever because nothing else limits population other than predators.
c) No, the deer population would have grown quickly for a while but eventually would have been limited somewhat by lack of food and by disease

Answer 1

No, the deer population would have grown quickly for a while but eventually would have been limited somewhat by lack of food and by disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

No, the deer population would have grown quickly for a while but eventually would have been limited somewhat by lack of food and by disease. In nature, populations are regulated by various factors such as availability of resources, predation, and disease. Without predators like wolves, the deer population may initially experience rapid growth, but eventually, they would face limitations in terms of available food resources. As the deer population increases, they would consume more vegetation, leading to changes in the ecosystem and potentially causing a decline in their own population due to scarcity of food. In addition, without predators, the deer population would also be more susceptible to diseases and parasites, which would further impact their growth rate. Therefore, it is unlikely that the deer population could grow at the same rate forever without any limitations.