This document defines several key ecology terms: habitat, niche, limiting factors, carrying capacity, and competition. It then provides examples of a gray wolf's niche, explaining that it is a carnivore that lives and hunts in packs and cares for its young. The document notes that most animals produce more offspring than can survive due to limiting factors. It asks why a pond wouldn't become overrun with frogs, implying that limiting factors keep populations in check. Finally, it poses multiple choice questions testing understanding of these terms and concepts.

1. Word
1. Habitat
Definition
Environment
where
something lives
Picture

2. Word
2. Niche
Definition
An organism’s
way of life in an
ecosystem,
including
habitat, food,
predators, and
competition
Picture

3. What is the niche of a gray wolf?
• Is it a consumer or producer?
– Consumer/carnivore – eats deer, moose,
sheep, birds, snakes, fish
• How do they interact with others?
– They live and hunt in packs
• Do they take care of their young?
– Yes – for 2 years
• Are they needed in the food web?
– Yes, they keep other populations in check.

4. Most living things produce more
offspring than will survive. A female
frog, for example, might lay
hundreds of eggs in a small pond.
In a few months, the population of
frogs in that pond will be about the
same as the year before. Why
won’t the pond become overrun
with frogs?

5. Word
3. Limiting
Factors
Definition
Anything that
keeps a
population from
growing too
large. Ex: food,
living space,
water
Picture

6. Word
4. Carrying
Capacity
Definition
The largest
population that
a given
environment
can support
over a long
period of time
Picture

7. Word
5.
Competition
Definition
When two or
more individuals
or populations
try to use the
same limited
resource, such
as food, water,
shelter, space,
or sunlight
Picture

8. Questions
1. Which of these could cause a
decrease in the number of squirrels in
a population?
A An increase in cooperation with birds in
the area
B An increase in the squirrels’ territory
C An increase in competition with other nuteating animals
D An increase in the squirrels’ food supply

9. 2. There are many factors that influence
the population changes of an
ecosystem. Which of these does not
influence population size in an
ecosystem?
A Birthrates of animals
B Number of animals in habitats
C An animal’s weight
D The size of a habitat

10. 3. Which term refers to an environmental
factor that prevents a population from
increasing?
A. biotic factor
B.abiotic factor
C.immigration
D.limiting factor

11. 4. The largest population that an
environment can support is called its
A. carrying capacity.
B. limiting factor.
C. birth rate.
D. death rate.

12. 5. All of the following are examples of
limiting factors EXCEPT
A. food.
B. soil.
C. space.
D. weather conditions.