Expert: Walter Hintz - 6/14/2006

Question
My teacher handed out a worksheet today, and I am having trouble explaining one of the questions: Interpret the meaning of the following statement, "Actual population size represents a compromise between biotic potential and environmental resistance".  

Any help is greatly appreciated.  

Answer
Hi steve:
The biotic potential is the actual number of individuals that a species can produce under optimal conditions (basically the food supply)
The environmental resistence involves all factors that work against the development of this potential.
Let me give you an example:
  Suppose we have a population of rabbits in an environment with plenty of food and water and no predators. Many rabbits are born and survive and reproduce  further increasing the numbers.
  But predators come about and weather changes reduce the amount of plants for the food.  The rabbit population decreases.