Ecosystem Changes and Population Impacts

1. Define "carrying capacity" and explain what determines the carrying capacity of an ecosystem for a specific population, such as the squirrel population mentioned in the video.

2. Describe two density-dependent limiting factors and two density-independent limiting factors. Explain how each type of factor can affect the size of a population. Give specific examples from the video or create your own.

3. Imagine a new housing development is built next to the nature trail in the video, reducing the amount of available nesting space for the squirrels. Argue how this change to a nonliving component of the ecosystem would likely affect the squirrel population. Support your argument with evidence from the video.