Assignment Summary In this assignment, you will use simulations to analyze how climate, resources, and habitat size affect
carrying capacity. You will then look at another simulation to analyze the effects of certain factors that
affect biodiversity and populations. Finally, you will write and revise a conclusion on how human activity
affects biodiversity.
Background Information
Population growth is the change in size of a group of organisms of the same species over time. It is
affected by four factors: birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration.
Carrying capacity is the maximum total population that an area can support. Carrying capacity limits
population growth and is affected by competition for food, water, shelter, or mates, and threat of
predators, disease, and parasites. Carrying capacity may be affected by one or a combination of these
factors.
Biodiversity is the total variety of organisms that live in the biosphere. Biodiversity is affected by the loss
of habitat, introduction of invasive species, pollution, and/or human activities