Carrying capacity graph illustrating population dynamics of rabbits over 16 years.

Let’s go step by step through each question using the graph and definitions.

---

1. Define Carrying Capacity:

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of one species that an environment can support over time, based on available resources like food, water, space, and shelter. If a population goes above this number, some will die or leave until it drops back down to the carrying capacity level.

→ Answer: The largest number of individuals of one species that an ecosystem can support.

*(This matches the definition given at the top of the worksheet.)*

---

2. Define Limiting Factors:

Limiting factors are things in the environment that stop a population from growing too big — like not enough food, predators, disease, lack of space, or bad weather. They “limit” how many animals can live there.

→ Answer: Environmental conditions that restrict population growth (e.g., food, water, space, predators).

---

3. Identify TWO examples of Limiting Factors:

From the definition above, we can pick any two common ones:

→ Answer: Food availability and predation
*(Other correct answers could be: water, disease, competition, habitat loss, etc.)*

---

4. Use the chart to determine how many rabbits are in the population at 8 years:

Look at the x-axis (YEARS) → find 8.
Go straight up to the curve.
Then look left to the y-axis (Rabbit Population).

At year 8, the line is flat at 8.

→ Answer: c) 8 years? Wait — no! The question says “how many rabbits”, not “how many years”. Let me re-read.

Wait — the options say:
a) 4
b) 6
c) 8 years ← this is wrong because it says “years” but the question asks for “how many rabbits”

Actually, looking again — the options are labeled incorrectly? Or maybe it's a typo?

But let’s read carefully:

> 4. Use the chart to determine how many rabbits are in the population at 8 years:
> a) 4
> b) 6
> c) 8 years ← this must be a mistake — probably meant “c) 8”

Because at year 8, the rabbit population is 8.

Also, note: the graph shows the population reaches 8 around year 7–8 and stays there.

So if we ignore the word “years” in option c (probably a printing error), then:

→ Answer: c) 8

*(We assume “c) 8 years” was meant to be “c) 8” since the question asks for number of rabbits.)*

---

5. How many years did it take for the rabbits to reach their carrying capacity?

Carrying capacity is shown as the horizontal dashed line at 8.

The S-shaped curve first touches that line at about year 7.

Before that, it was still rising. At year 6, it’s at 6; year 7, it hits 8.

So it took 7 years to reach carrying capacity.

→ Answer: 7 years

---

6. How many rabbits can survive in the population at the carrying capacity?

Carrying capacity = 8 (from the graph — the dashed line and where the curve levels off).

That means the environment can sustainably support 8 rabbits.

→ Answer: 8 rabbits

---

Now, compiling all final answers clearly:

──────────────────────────────────────

Final Answer:
1. The largest number of individuals of one species that an ecosystem can support.
2. Environmental conditions that restrict population growth (such as food, water, space, or predators).
3. Food availability and predation (or any two valid limiting factors).
4. c) 8 *(assuming "8 years" is a typo and should be "8")*
5. 7 years
6. 8 rabbits