Which limiting factor is most significantly impacting the fur seal population growth?

• A. Competition with other marine mammals
• B. Disease outbreaks
• C. Availability of food resources
• D. Predation by sharks

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of limiting factors: Limiting factors are environmental conditions that limit the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population of organisms in an ecosystem.
2. Identify the potential limiting factors listed in the problem: Competition with other marine mammals, disease outbreaks, availability of food resources, and predation by sharks.
3. Evaluate each factor's impact on the fur seal population: Consider how each factor might affect the population's ability to grow and thrive. For example, competition with other marine mammals might limit access to food, disease outbreaks could reduce population numbers, availability of food resources directly affects survival, and predation by sharks could decrease population size.
4. Focus on the availability of food resources: Since the correct answer is availability of food resources, consider how this factor is crucial for the fur seal's survival and reproduction. Without adequate food, fur seals cannot maintain their energy levels, reproduce successfully, or support their young.
5. Conclude why availability of food resources is the most significant limiting factor: Food resources are essential for sustaining life and ensuring population growth. Limited food availability can lead to malnutrition, decreased reproductive success, and increased mortality, making it a critical factor in population dynamics.