When the resource base shrinks, what ecological consequence is likely?

When the resource base shrinks, what ecological consequence is likely?

• A. The increased potential for unequal distribution of resources ultimately results in increased mortality, decreased reproduction, or both, resulting in population growth declining to or below carrying capacity.
• B. Resource abundance increases uniformly across the population.
• C. Population growth continues at a faster rate regardless.
• D. No change occurs in mortality or reproduction.

Answer: (A)

Resource scarcity leads to increased competition for limited resources, and with resources unevenly shared, some individuals do better while others suffer higher mortality or have fewer offspring. This combination slows overall population growth and brings it down toward the environment’s carrying capacity. That is why the option describing unequal resource distribution causing higher mortality or lower reproduction, which then reduces population growth toward carrying capacity, is the best fit. The other ideas don’t align with shrinking resources: abundance across the population wouldn’t occur when the base is shrinking; growth continuing faster ignores the limits imposed by scarce resources; and no change in mortality or reproduction overlooks the pressure scarcity places on survival and reproductive success.

Resource scarcity leads to increased competition for limited resources, and with resources unevenly shared, some individuals do better while others suffer higher mortality or have fewer offspring. This combination slows overall population growth and brings it down toward the environment’s carrying capacity. That is why the option describing unequal resource distribution causing higher mortality or lower reproduction, which then reduces population growth toward carrying capacity, is the best fit.

The other ideas don’t align with shrinking resources: abundance across the population wouldn’t occur when the base is shrinking; growth continuing faster ignores the limits imposed by scarce resources; and no change in mortality or reproduction overlooks the pressure scarcity places on survival and reproductive success.