If resources increase, populations increase.

If resources increase, populations increase.

• A. populations decrease
• B. populations increase
• C. no change
• D. extinctions occur

Answer: (B)

Resource availability controls how large a population can be. When resources such as food, water, and space are more plentiful, the environment can support more individuals, so the carrying capacity rises. With more resources, survival and reproductive success generally improve, leading to population growth until a new, higher carrying capacity is reached. This is why increasing resources results in an increase in population size. If resources were to decrease, or if other stressors appeared, the population might decline instead; but with more resources, growth is the expected outcome.

Resource availability controls how large a population can be. When resources such as food, water, and space are more plentiful, the environment can support more individuals, so the carrying capacity rises. With more resources, survival and reproductive success generally improve, leading to population growth until a new, higher carrying capacity is reached. This is why increasing resources results in an increase in population size. If resources were to decrease, or if other stressors appeared, the population might decline instead; but with more resources, growth is the expected outcome.