Question

Which of the following events would not negatively impact Yellowstone’s grey wolf carrying capacity?

a. snow in winter

b. a beaver damming a river upstream

c. a forest fire

d. chronic wasting disease in the deer population

Short answer

The Correct Answer is Option (a)

Snow in winter

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

The carrying capacity of a species in a given habitat is its average population size. Environmental factors such as adequate food, shelter, water, and mates limit the population growth of a species. If these conditions are not met, the population will continue to drop until resource availability increases.

Reasons for the incorrect options

• Option b -Beaver damming a rive upstream will definitely have a negative impact on the Gray wolves since they prey upon the beaver.
• Option c -Factors like forest fire will also have a negative impact on the carrying capacity of gray wolves.
• Option d - Chronic wasting diseases in the deer population will reduce the population of the deers which eventually affects the carrying capacity of the gray wolves.

Reason for the correct option

Snow in winter is a natural environmental condition that will not have a negative impact on the carrying capacity of gray wolves.

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.