The figure above shows the growth and decline of the reindeer population on St. Paul Island. What is the main cause of the decline of the reindeer population?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks to identify the main cause of the decline in the reindeer population as shown in the figure.
Option a: The overhunting of reindeer by humans. While hunting can reduce populations, the drastic collapse depicted here occurs after a long period of growth and aligns more closely with resource limitations rather than a sudden increase in hunting pressure. The graph does not show a pattern of abrupt declines typical of heavy harvest events.
Option b: A decline in carrying capacity caused by a decline in predation. A decrease in predation would typically reduce mortality and could allow populations to rise or stabilize, not cause a sharp decline. The depicted trajectory corresponds to resource-based pressure rather than changes in predator–prey dynamics.
Option c: The overexploitation of food resources. The red population curve skyrockets as resources become scarce due to overuse, leading to a sharp drop when carrying capacity is exceeded and food becomes limiting. This explanation most consistently accounts for a population that grows initially and then crashes as resources are depleted.
Option d: An increase in the carrying capacity given by the absence of disease. An increase in carrying capacity would lead to sustained growth or a higher equilibrium, not a dramatic decline. The graph shows a peak followed by a downward trend, not a stabilization at a higher level.
Therefore, the reasoning points to resource limitation—specifically, overexploitation of food resources—as the main driver of the decline in population size.

BIO 112-004 - Spring 2025: Biological Concepts and Methods I I (Lecture)

The figure above shows the growth and decline of the reindeer population on St. Paul Island. What is the main cause of the decline of the reindeer population?

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