Which of the following describes a boom period?

a. as one population increases, the other population also increases.

b. as one population decreases, another population also decreases.

c. as one population decreases, another population increases.

d. as one population increases, another population decreases.

Answer: A. As one population increases, the other population also increases.

A boom period is best described when a general rapid population growth occurs. As this phenomenon is general and the question does not provide additional information about the presence of the species inter-dependency, both populations will increase. However, this is part of a cycle known and the "boom and bust" population growth cycle. According to the rule, this rapid growth period is followed by a bust period in which the population falls back to its minimal level. A good example of this is the plankton bloom.

any abiotic or biotic factor in an ecosystem that causes a population's size to slow or decrease is a limiting factor.