Environment / Comprehension
CARRYING
CAPACITY
The largest number of
animals that can
successfully live in an
area is called the area’s
carrying capacity. Think about what is needed by wildlife to survive: food,
water, shelter and space.
DO THE MATH TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS
TO THE ROBIN POPULATION IN A HABITAT.
Our habitat area has enough food to feed 20 robins.
A pair of robins moves in and builds a nest. They lay eggs and hatch 8
babies each year. Half of the babies survive to become adults. The next
year the young adults find mates. They each lay and hatch 8 eggs. Half of
the babies die and half grow into adults.
How many robins are living in this area at the end of the second year?
FIRST YEAR:
1 pair of robins + 4 young = _______________
SECOND YEAR:
Original pair of robins + 4 young and
4 pairs of robins + their 4 young =
Total robins the second year: _____________
Do you think some of these robins will need to leave this habitat area and
find a new habitat area in which to live? Why or why not?
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Science Standards 3.1, 3.2
Math Standards 1, 3